Career paths after studying pharmacy: Salary and position
As is the case for many other academics, a south-north and west-east divide awaits pharmacy graduates. Salaries also vary depending on the industry and location of the employer. Individual factors affecting monthly income include professional experience and the individual's academic degree, i.e. a doctorate always has financial benefits. An overview is provided below:
Salary of pharmacists in the industrial sector in Germany
A doctorate has a decisive impact on career development in the industrial sector: A doctoral degree is associated with clear salary and entry position benefits after studying. A degree will also help to assess whether a candidate can work in the scientific field. Good exam grades are always important for entry into the industry, as employers tend to check grades. Other requirements placed on applicants include working hours and motivation – overtime is common and a high degree of flexibility is required. The starting salary in the pharmaceutical industry, as in all sectors, depends on how big the company is, whether it conducts research and where it is located.
Starting salaries in the pharmaceutical industry, which are not otherwise set out in a collective agreement, range from €3,500 to €4,000, according to Deutsche Aerzte Finanz. Graduates can expect to earn an additional €500 to €1,000 per month.
Comparison: Starting salary pharmaceuticals
In summary, a professional's salary and career will clearly benefit if they have a doctoral degree in this industry, especially in the field of research. The starting salaries of state pharmacists tend to vary the most and proportionally overlap the salaries of privately employed pharmacists, whether they have a doctoral degree or not. However, in the civil service, starting salaries are less flexible and less likely to increase, as shown in the direct comparison of starting salaries in the graph.