Pharmacologist Salary

If medicine is an area that interests you, then you will be glad to know that the figures for pharmacologist salary range are pretty high. A pharmacologist is someone who determines what drugs and medications are ideal for what medical condition, and this is achieved by carrying out in depth research and countless tests. In short, a pharmacologist is nothing but a research scientist, whose task is to find the cure for diseases.

Needless to say, for a job this advanced the individual will need a plethora of advanced degrees in the medical field. This is not a medical job that just anyone can perform, and the individual really needs to have a strong urge to pursue something like this. The demand for pharmacologists is very high, and the job prospects are great simply because of this elite nature of the job.

Job Description

Before we get into details of the salary of a pharmacologist, let us understand what they do exactly. As mentioned before, their primary task is to discover new medicines and cures for different diseases. This is done by performing tests and experiments on various subjects. The high importance and risk involved with the job is what provides immense value to the pharmacologist salary range as well. In addition to this, a pharmacologist also has to ascertain the effects of drugs and medications on human beings. A pharmacologist who does this is known as a clinical pharmacologist. Here are some common tasks performed by a certified pharmacologist.

• Determine how a drug is absorbed by the body.
• Determine how the drug is absorbed, metabolized and then released by the body.
• Work with highly advanced laboratory equipment, and make use of various chemical processes.
• Determine the effects of some drugs by testing them on animals. This is closely related to animal experimentation.
• Also carry out data entry, report creation, data analysis, equipment maintenance, equipment repair and research for the purpose of creating helpful medicines.

All these tasks seem simple at first glance, but there are many subtleties and complications involved. This is what leads to a surge in the level of salary of a pharmacologist.

Educational Requirements

The minimum requirement for this job is a Bachelor's degree in pharmacology, biology or physiology. Most employers though, also demand a Master's degree in the same, but this is something that is totally dependent on their needs and preferences. The best candidates however, are those who have a Doctorate (PhD) in pharmacology. Along with this, experience with advanced laboratory equipment is also necessary, and so is a vast and in depth knowledge of various chemicals and drugs. What makes clinical pharmacologist salary so high in addition to these requirements are things like specimen collection skills, writing skills, communication skills, testing skills, surgical skills and animal handling skills. Once you know the prerequisites for pharmacy school, you can also apply to any school from the list of top 10 pharmacy schools in America to broaden your career opportunities.

Salary

Now getting back to the point, the average salary for a pharmacologist is around $70,000 - $120,000 per year. This is a fairly lucrative amount, and the truth is that this is a very elite career. Men constitute around three fourths of pharmacologists around the world, and the more experience one has, the higher salary one can command. The most popular industries where one can get a job as a pharmacologist are pharmaceutical research companies, educational colleges or universities, pharmaceutical companies or pharmacy management systems companies. The three most popular cities for pursuing this career choice are Boston, Chicago and New York, and these are also the cities where you can make the most money in this field.

These figures of pharmacologist salary should not be the only thing diverting you towards this career. Pharmacologists have to spend long amounts of time carrying out tests in the laboratory, so this is something that you need to enjoy. Only an individual who is truly passionate about research will pursue this particular profession.