There were about 230,000 pharmacists jobs in the United States in 2004. About 24% of salaried pharmacists work in a hospital. 61% of all pharmacists work in community pharmacies, which are those in drugstores, supermarkets, and other retail locations. Pharmacists in community pharmacies can be salaried employees or self-employed owners.
Although the traditional pharmacist spent much of his time compounding and preparing medications, today this is a small part of the pharmacist's job. Most modern medicines are pre-produced and often packaged by pharmaceutical companies, in a standard dosage or selection of dosages.
Pharmacists in community pharmacies routinely answer patients' questions about medications as well as health conditions. They maintain electronic records of patients' prescriptions, and help to protect patients against adverse drug interactions. They also complete third-party insurance forms, are sometimes trained to administer vaccinations, and sometimes provide special services for patients with chronic conditions.
Pharmacists may also work in healthcare facilities other than hospitals, or in pharmaceutical research and development, or for health insurance companies. Pharmacists involved in research often have a pharmacy degree beyond the Doctor of Pharmacy.
21% of pharmacists worked part-time in 2004. Full-time pharmacists usually work average hours of around 40 hours per week. Depending on the setting of employment, pharmacists may work regular office hours or may work many nights and weekends. For example, pharmacists who work at a hospital pharmacy or a 24-hour drugstore will have less typical hours.