U.S. News & World Report lists pharmacist as a top job for 2012

NEW YORK — Pharmacists should see significant growth over the next decade, making the profession one of the top jobs for 2012, according to U.S. News & World Report magazine.

The publication said the occupation of a pharmacist earned the No. 3 spot on its 'The Best Jobs of 2012' list. The magazine cited solid employment growth — a projected 25.4% employment growth for pharmacists between 2010 and 2020, with the field adding 69,700 new jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — along with other such key factors as the aging population, increase need for complex medicines and medication therapy management.

Salary was another factor that prompted pharmacist to earn its spot on the list: according to the Labor Department, U.S. News said, the median annual salary for a pharmacist was $111,570 in 2010. The best-paid 10% made approximately $138,620 a year, while the lowest-paid made approximately $82,090.

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