Pharmacy Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Pharmacy Management is a specialized academic pathway designed to equip professionals with advanced expertise in the clinical and operational aspects of pharmacy practice. This program emphasizes the integration of pharmaceutical science, patient-centered care, and strategic management within healthcare environments, preparing graduates to lead in complex clinical settings.
- Biostatistics: The application of statistical methods to analyze pharmaceutical data, enabling evidence-based decision-making in clinical and research contexts.
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics: The study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the human body to optimize dosing regimens.
- Biopharmaceutics: The science behind drug formulation, dissolution, and bioavailability, focusing on how physical and chemical properties influence therapeutic outcomes.
- Neuropharmacology: The investigation of drug effects on the nervous system, with applications in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders.
- Pharmacodynamics: The analysis of drug mechanisms of action and their physiological effects at target sites within the body.
- Drug Metabolism: The study of metabolic pathways that transform drugs into active or inactive compounds, impacting efficacy and safety.
- Clinical Sampling and Research Design: The principles of collecting clinical data and structuring studies to ensure validity, reliability, and ethical compliance in pharmaceutical research.
- Drug Delivery Systems: Advanced technologies and formulations designed to enhance drug stability, targeting, and patient adherence.
- Chemotherapy: The use of pharmaceutical agents to treat cancer, with a focus on efficacy, toxicity management, and multidisciplinary coordination.
- Pharmacotherapy: The strategic use of medications to manage and treat specific diseases, emphasizing individualized treatment plans.
- Clinical Pharmacy Management: The oversight of pharmacy operations in healthcare systems, including workflow optimization, resource allocation, and quality assurance.
- Medical and Research Ethics: The ethical frameworks governing patient care, data integrity, and responsible conduct in pharmaceutical research and practice.
- Specialized Clinical Applications: In-depth training in nuclear pharmacy, nutritional support therapy, oncology pharmacotherapy, psychiatric pharmacy, and other advanced therapeutic domains.
Pharmacy Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Pharmacy Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Pharmacy Management degrees, including Pharmacists, Medical and Health Services Managers and Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary. 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 1,124,430 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacists 29-1051 | $137,480 | $86,930 - $172,040 | 328,870 | $66.10 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111 | $117,960 | $69,680 - $219,080 | 565,840 | $56.71 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
Pharmacy Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $101,220 in Oklahoma to $154,813 in District of Columbia—a 53% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,124,430 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 Pharmacy Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 5 institutions offering Pharmacy Management 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 Pharmacy Management is found at Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) (7 graduates), University of Houston (UH) (6 graduates), University of Kansas (KU) (3 graduates), MCPHS University (MCPHS) (3 graduates), and University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | bhcc.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Master's
|
6 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Master's
|
3 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| MCPHS University (MCPHS) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | mcphs.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Master's
|
1 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Pharmacy Management programs
How much can I earn with a Pharmacy Management degree?
Salaries for Pharmacy Management graduates vary by role and location. Pharmacists earn a median of $137,480 annually, while Medical and Health Services Managers earn around $117,960. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $154,813 compared to $101,220 in Oklahoma. Approximately 1,124,430 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 Pharmacy Management programs?
Currently 5 accredited institutions offer Pharmacy Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) (7 graduates), University of Houston (UH) (6 graduates), and University of Kansas (KU) (3 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 Pharmacy Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 71 in 2010 to a peak of 35 in 2020, before declining slightly to 20 in 2023-24. This represents a 72% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Pharmacy Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Pharmacists, Medical and Health Services Managers, and Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 1,124,430 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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