Molecular Pharmacology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Molecular Pharmacology is an advanced scientific discipline dedicated to understanding how drugs interact with biological systems at the molecular and cellular level. This field integrates principles from biochemistry, genetics, and biophysics to explore the mechanisms by which therapeutic agents influence cellular function and biological pathways.
- Molecular biology: Investigates the structure, function, and regulation of genes and proteins central to drug action and cellular response.
- Biophysics: Applies physical principles to analyze the structural dynamics and energy changes involved in drug-receptor interactions.
- Signal transduction pharmacology: Examines how drugs modulate intracellular signaling cascades that govern cell behavior and physiological outcomes.
- Neurotransmitter systems: Focuses on the molecular mechanisms of chemical messengers in the nervous system and their modulation by pharmacological agents.
- Protein synthesis and release: Studies the cellular processes underlying the production and secretion of proteins, including those targeted by therapeutic drugs.
- Receptor-ligand interactions: Explores the specificity and affinity of drug binding to cellular receptors and the resulting biological effects.
- Drug discovery and recognition: Involves the identification and optimization of novel compounds with desired therapeutic profiles.
- Molecular toxicology: Assesses the harmful effects of drugs at the molecular level, including mechanisms of cellular damage and adverse reactions.
- Drug design: Applies structural and computational methods to develop new molecules with enhanced efficacy and safety.
- Pharmacodynamics: Analyzes the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs on the body, particularly at the molecular target site.
- Developmental genetics: Investigates how genetic regulation during development influences drug response and disease susceptibility.
- Therapeutic strategy research: Evaluates innovative approaches to disease treatment through targeted molecular interventions.
Molecular Pharmacology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Molecular Pharmacology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Molecular Pharmacology degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 386,020 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists 19-1042 | $100,590 | $61,860 - $168,210 | 156,300 | $48.36 |
Molecular Pharmacology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $136,330 in District of Columbia—a 183% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Arkansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 386,020 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Molecular Pharmacology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 14 institutions offering Molecular Pharmacology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Molecular Pharmacology is found at University of Southern California (USC) (13 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (11 graduates), University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (10 graduates), Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (10 graduates), and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 85 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
|
11 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Rochester, Minnesota | Private | college.mayo.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| University of California (UCSF) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | San Francisco, California | Public | ucsf.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Albert Einstein College of Medicine |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Bronx, New York | Private | einsteinmed.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Brown University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | North Chicago, Illinois | Private | rosalindfranklin.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Molecular Pharmacology programs
How much can I earn with a Molecular Pharmacology degree?
Salaries for Molecular Pharmacology graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn around $100,590. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $136,330 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 386,020 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Molecular Pharmacology programs?
Currently 14 accredited institutions offer Molecular Pharmacology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Southern California (USC) (13 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (11 graduates), and University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (10 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Molecular Pharmacology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 33 in 2010 to 85 in 2023-24. This represents a 158% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Molecular Pharmacology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, . Related occupations employ approximately 386,020 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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