Pharmacists

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts that employment for pharmacists will grow by 5 percent from 2023 through 2033. This is as fast as the average for all careers. Growth will be attributable to the increasing middle-aged and senior population (generally the largest consumers of medications), as well as technical and scientific advances that will make more drugs available and affordable, the passage of the Affordable Care Act (which has allowed more people to receive health insurance—including coverage for prescriptions), and even the advertising of medications that informs consumers of the variety of medicines available, resulting in their requesting these drugs.

Employment at hospital and clinic pharmacies should experience the most growth (+16.3 percent) through 2033. The DOL reports that "these facilities will need more pharmacists to oversee the medications given to patients and to provide patient care, doing tasks such as testing a patient’s blood sugar or cholesterol." Excellent employment opportunities will also be available in outpatient care centers, assisted-living facilities, and home care settings.

The DOL predicts that the employment of pharmacists in retail settings will grow more slowly than the average due to competition from online and mail order pharmacies. The expanded role of pharmacy technicians also will contribute to the decline. "Technicians perform tasks—such as collecting patient information, preparing more types of medications, and verifying the work of other technicians—that were previously done by pharmacists," the DOL explains.