Pharmacology and Toxicology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Pharmacology and Toxicology is an advanced interdisciplinary field that explores the interactions between biological systems and chemical agents, with a focus on understanding both therapeutic effects and harmful outcomes. This program equips students with the scientific foundation to analyze drug actions, assess chemical risks, and contribute to safer pharmaceutical development and public health protection.
- Xenobiotic metabolism: Examines how the body processes foreign substances, including drugs and environmental toxins, through enzymatic pathways.
- Chemical toxicity: Investigates the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms, including mechanisms of damage and dose-response relationships.
- Neurotoxicology: Focuses on the impact of toxic substances on the nervous system, including neural dysfunction and long-term neurological disorders.
- Immunopharmacology: Studies how drugs influence immune system function, including both therapeutic modulation and unintended immune reactions.
- Biotransformation: Explores the metabolic conversion of compounds within the body, determining their activity, duration, and elimination.
- Tissue culture and in vitro studies: Utilizes controlled laboratory environments to study cellular responses to drugs and toxins without whole-organism testing.
- Biomolecular analysis: Applies techniques to detect, quantify, and characterize biological molecules involved in drug and toxin interactions.
- Bioactivation and inactivation: Analyzes how substances are transformed into more or less toxic forms within the body.
- Enzyme regulation: Investigates how enzymes that process drugs and toxins are controlled at molecular and cellular levels.
- Chemoprevention and chemotherapy: Focuses on using agents to prevent or treat disease, particularly cancer, through targeted biological mechanisms.
- Industrial and chemical studies: Addresses health and safety implications of workplace exposures to hazardous substances.
- Radiation health: Examines the biological effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation on human physiology.
- Bioinformatics: Integrates computational tools and data analysis to manage and interpret complex biological and toxicological datasets.
Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Pharmacology and Toxicology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Pharmacology and Toxicology 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 |
Pharmacology and Toxicology 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 Pharmacology and Toxicology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 16 institutions offering Pharmacology and Toxicology 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 Pharmacology and Toxicology is found at Wright State University, Main Campus (60 graduates), Michigan State University (MSU) (41 graduates), University at Buffalo (UB) (26 graduates), Long Island University (LIU) (22 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (21 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 252 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State University |
Master's
|
60 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | wright.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
41 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Long Island University (LIU) |
Master's
|
22 | Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Saint Joseph's University (SJU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | sju.edu |
| The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Galveston, Texas | Public | utmb.edu |
| MCPHS University (MCPHS) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | mcphs.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | mcw.edu |
| University of Alabama (UAB) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | uab.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Pharmacology and Toxicology programs
How much can I earn with a Pharmacology and Toxicology degree?
Salaries for Pharmacology and Toxicology 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 Pharmacology and Toxicology programs?
Currently 16 accredited institutions offer Pharmacology and Toxicology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Wright State University, Main Campus (60 graduates), Michigan State University (MSU) (41 graduates), and University at Buffalo (UB) (26 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 Pharmacology and Toxicology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 101 in 2010 to 252 in 2023-24. This represents a 150% 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 Pharmacology and Toxicology 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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