What to Expect With a Degree in Pharmacologist
If you’re interested in medication, drug therapies, and other aspects of pharmaceuticals, but you can’t see yourself working behind the counter at a hospital or drugstore as a pharmacist, filling prescriptions and interacting with patients and customers, there’s another option you can pursue—pharmacology.
Pharmacologist Job Description
Pharmacologists research and test medications and chemical compounds for the development of drug therapies, the prevention of drug interactions, and so forth. Specifically, these experts study how drugs are broken down, absorbed, and spread throughout the body. They also look at the potential side effects of various drugs.
Pharmacology Career Paths
As a career, pharmacology offers a variety of paths. For instance, clinical pharmacologists focus on the effects of medications for treating disease. As defined by the American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP), these professionals “bridge the gap between science and the practice of medicine through innovative research, development, and regulation of medications.”
By contrast, toxicologists study the effects of drugs and combinations of drugs and other substances on the body.
Some pharmacologists focus on drugs and other substances for dental use, while others specialize in veterinary medications.
Where Pharmacologists Work
Pharmacologists can work for pharmaceutical manufacturers on the industry/commercial side of the field. Or, they can work for a university in teaching or research. Additionally, pharmacologists can work in labs, such as a research lab or crime lab.
Educational Requirements for Pharmacologists
Most pharmacologists earn a degree called a Pharm.D., which stands for Doctor of Pharmacy, from a pharmacy school (four years of undergraduate, pre-professional college coursework, plus four years of professional study. It’s the same education traditional pharmacists go through.) Another education track for pharmacologists is a Ph.D. in pharmacology. Many professionals in the field hold both a Pharm.D. and a Ph.D.
The coursework that’s necessary in order to complete either type of degree is similar to that required for other science and medicine tracks. Expect to immerse yourself deeply in a great deal of biology, chemistry, math, and other sciences.
Working As a Pharmacologist
If you pursue a career in pharmacology, you’ll likely find plenty of opportunity for advancement: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for medical scientists, which includes pharmacology, is favorable, with 8% growth expected between 2018 and 2028.
Of course, your trajectory will depend largely on where you’re employed, which could be anywhere from a big pharmaceutical company to a small private research lab to a university classroom where you teach rather than do clinical work.
Compensation
These factors will play a part in how much money you make too, of course. Indeed.com reports that the average salary for a Pharmacologist is $135,249 per year in the United States. Glassdoor reports that, on average, the base pay is $111,403.
Regardless of where you wind up working as a pharmacologist, you will likely make a very good living doing something you truly enjoy.
Article Sources
- ASPET. “About Pharmacology”. Accessed March 29, 2020.
- American College of Clinical Pharmacology. “What is Clinical Pharmacology?” Accessed March 29, 2020.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Medical Scientists.” Accessed March 29, 2020.
- Glassdoor. “Pharmacologist Salaries. Accessed March 29, 2020.
- Indeed. “Pharmacologist Salaries in the United States.” Accessed March 29, 2020.