Career Paths for Pharmacists

Unlock a world of opportunity with your
UW–Madison PharmD degree.

Although we pride ourselves on having an innovative, nationally-ranked program, it’s what our graduates do after they leave that is truly special. Our alumni are changing lives and improving health — from treating diabetes and heart conditions to developing new medications. They’re making a difference for the people in their community. It’s why pharmacists are one of the most trusted professionals in the country (Gallup).

Preparing PharmD students for success.

UW–Madison continues to have an impressive first-time pass rate on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), consistently performing higher than the national average. In 2024, our PharmD students were matched into residencies at 100%, a significantly higher rate than the national average. Plus, 98% of our surveyed 2023 graduates landed a full-time position within six months.

98% Employment within 6 months of graduatio
100% ASHP Residency Match Rate (2024)
17 points higher ASHP residency placement than the national average (100% UW-Madison vs. 83% National Average)

Student Outcomes


The training ground for pharmacy leaders.

A career in pharmacy doesn’t mean wearing a white coat.

Our graduates work in pharmacies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, startups, pharmacy benefit management companies, government agencies, research centers, and care facilities around the world.

Our alumni are the movers and shakers of their professions and organizations, with a shared mission of helping others. Positions held by our alumni include:

UW School of Pharmacy - Pharmacy Leader Job Titles include Clinical Professor; Director of Pharmacy Services; VP and Head, Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics; Chairman of the Board at US Pharmacopeia; President of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; VP of Pharmacy Affairs in Government Relations


Find lifelong connections through our world-class alumni network.

You won’t begin your search for employment alone, and other UW‒Madison School of Pharmacy graduates will be there to help you manage and grow your career. Our 8,000+ pharmacy alumni network includes recruiters, executives, and pharmacists who want to see you succeed. Our Badger Pharmacy alumni are actively involved with our PharmD students and work with them as caring mentors, top preceptors, job recruiters, and expert instructors.

Badger Pharmacists hit the ground running, ready to step into positions with leading organizations right away.


So many ways to make a difference.

Is a career in pharmacy right for you? Your PharmD degree will open doors to hundreds of roles. It might be perfect if you’re interested in…

Julie – Ambulatory Care Pharmacy
Monica – Pediatric Pharmacy
Charlie – Community Pharmacy
Marnie – Managed Care Pharmacy

More Career Spotlights


Limitless possibilities with a PharmD degree.

You might be amazed at how many doors open to you with a PharmD degree from UW‒Madison. As a pharmacist you could:

  • Play a life-saving role in the event of an epidemic or act of bioterrorism
  • Advise doctors, nurses, and other prescribers about medication therapy
  • Work with patients to counsel on medication use and provide clinical services to help optimize their care
  • Provide follow-up primary care for chronic diseases with complex medication regimens, such as diabetes and heart conditions
  • Review medications to identify and manage possible drug interactions, adverse effects, and antibiotic-resistance risks
  • Immunize patients and provide screenings for preventative care and conduct health and wellness programs
  • Manage pharmacy departments, including those within government agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and branches of the military
  • Research, develop, and test new medications, as well as run clinical trials for new drug discoveries
  • Work in all areas of the pharmaceutical industry, including drug development, medical affairs, clinical trials, and marketing
  • Become entrepreneurs, creating and marketing new health-related products
  • Evaluate best medications for prescription drug formularies
  • Partner with veterinarians to provide customized medications for pets

A pharmacy career with six-figure income potential and work-life balance

Pharmacy Manager and Pharmacist are rated as the #2 and #3 Highest Paying Jobs in America by Glassdoor, with literally hundreds of career paths to follow.  Plus, Pharmacist is the #2 Highest Paying Job for Women, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There’s lots of reasons why Pharmacist ranks #6 among Best Careers in Healthcare by CareerCast. One of them is great work-life balance. You can still save lives and have a life, too. Pharmacists have demanding, important jobs, but they have one of the best work-life balance professions in health care. Whether you want to travel, spend time with family, or enjoy your hobbies, pharmacy careers offer flexibility with reasonable hours and career mobility, so you can be at your professional — and personal — best.

Licensure Exam for Pharmacists

NAPLEX measures a candidate’s knowledge of the practice of pharmacy. It is just one component of the license process and is used by the boards of pharmacy as a part of their assessment of a candidate’s competence to practice as a pharmacist.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) for mandatory educational requirements. State boards of pharmacy require that licensure applicants from the United States have graduated from an accredited pharmacy degree program to be eligible to sit for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX®). The PharmD program satisfies all professional licensing requirements for the state of Wisconsin. The school has not made a determination as to the sufficiency of its program to satisfy all professional licensing requirements of any other state or jurisdiction. Each licensing authority sets and enforces its own professional licensing standards. Every student should inquire directly to the licensing authority in the jurisdiction where the student plans to seek licensure in order to determine the mandatory requirements to be licensed to practice.

700+

Roles in Pharmacy

#1

Highest Paying Career for Women
(The Balance)

#2, #3

Highest Paying Jobs in America
(Glassdoor)

#6

Best Job in Healthcare
(CareerCast)

5 Reasons to say “Yes!” to a Career in Pharmacy

Cover of 5 Reasons to say Yes to a Career in Pharmacy

Learn more about what makes pharmacy a great career choice.

Download Career Guide

Career Services & Professional Development Resources

We help PharmD students with their job search, resume writing, practice interviews, networking with employers, and more.

Visit Career Services

Questions about our program?

Check our FAQ page for detailed answers to common questions.

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