Career Definition for a Pharmaceutical Science Professional
Pharmaceutical science professionals perform research to ensure that medications meet government standards and are produced in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. For example, medical scientists in pharmaceutical companies research drugs and medical equipment and complete clinical trials to ensure that the drugs meet the requirements of the Federal Drug Administration, while biochemists study gene mutations and virus structure to develop medications and vaccines.
| Required Education | Usually, a master's of doctoral degree; some entry-level posts open to bachelor's degree holders |
| Job Skills | Analytical and research skills, communication skills, strong mathematics background |
| Mean Salary (2021)* | $80,730 (life, physical, and social science occupations within the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry) |
| Job Outlook (2021-2031)* | 15% growth (biochemists and biophysicists) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
Most jobs in pharmaceutical science require a master's or doctoral degree, but some entry-level jobs are open to candidates who only possess 4-year bachelor's degrees. Advanced research positions require a doctorate and years of research experience. Most students take between two and four years to complete a master's degree or doctorate program. Students interested in becoming pharmaceutical science professionals should take courses like pharmacology, chemistry, biology, anatomy, and mathematics.
Skills Needed
Pharmaceutical science professionals need to be able to gather, analyze, and understand complex medical data and must have an eye for detail. They should have excellent communication skills and should have a strong mathematics background.
Career and Economic Outlook
Salaries for pharmaceutical science professionals vary depending on the career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov), the average annual salary for life, physical, and social science occupations within the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry was $80,730 in May 2021.
Technological advances have made it easier for new medications to be created and tested cost effectively, creating job opportunities. Employment prospects vary by career, too. The BLS predicts that jobs for biochemists and biophysicists will grow by 4% and jobs for medical scientists will increase 15% from 2021-2031.
Alternate Career Options
Natural Sciences Manager
Natural sciences managers oversee and coordinate the work that goes on in a lab. Responsibilities include managing workflow, budgeting, hiring and training staff, and reviewing teams' work. Education and training requirements vary widely, and usually depend on the requirements for employment as a scientist in that field; natural sciences managers are usually former scientists with many years of experience. They often hold a bachelor's degree or greater in a scientific field. Some hold a management degree, like a Master of Business Administration. Jobs in this field are expected to increase 6% from 2021-2031, per the BLS. The median pay for natural sciences managers was $137,900 in 2021, again per the BLS.
Epidemiologist
An epidemiologist researches incidences of disease or illness, seeking patterns so that observations can be turned into actionable steps for treatment and prevention. Some epidemiologists perform outreach work in collaboration with public health agencies. Areas of specialization include infectious diseases, maternal and child health, bioterrorism, environmental health, occupational health, and more. Employment typically requires at least a master's degree in epidemiology or a related field; some epidemiologists have a second degree in medicine. The BLS predicts that jobs in this field will increase 26% from 2021-2031; the BLS also reports that epidemiologists earned median pay of $78,830 in 2021.
