Pharmacology Career

In the healthcare industry, there are some jobs that brings the care provider in direct contact with the patients, while others are non-clinical or research-based careers. Pharmacology is a career that is largely study oriented in the medical field. This job is most suitable for those who want to have a career in the health industry, but do not want to be in direct contact with patients and want favorable work conditions as well as a good income. Being a research position and that too in the clinical field is the main reason why professionals in this job are so well paid.

Pharmacology Careers

Those working in this field are referred to as pharmacologists. These medical experts can provide services in commercial medical research establishments, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, crime and research laboratories, or even as professors in medical schools. Note that a pharmacologist and a pharmacist are two different professionals, with some similarities in the educational requirements. A pharmacologist is a person who studies drugs and its effects, experiments with chemical compounds, and aids in the innovation of drug therapies. On the other hand, a pharmacist is one who is responsible for dispensing drugs and other medications to patients, with having proper knowledge of the same.

Job Description
A pharmacologist is a specialist who designs drugs. He conducts a research on how particular drugs and medicines are broken down, absorbed, and accepted by the human body. This career also has toxicology as a specialization which involves the study of bad effect of medicines on the body. He uses statistical tools and theories to determine the positive or negative impact of drugs. He has to work using microscopes and other medical testing and precision equipment. A pharmacologist necessarily needs to have an eye for detail, owing to the observance and research work that is to be carried out. Bear in mind that this medical expert may have additional duties as per specializations mentioned in the following.

Different Fields
There are various fields in pharmacology such as molecular pharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, chemotherapy, and behavioral pharmacology, and many others. Molecular pharmacology deals with the correlation of molecules from drugs and body cells. Similarly, cardiovascular pharmacology concentrates on the effect of medicines on the heart. Chemotherapy is a discipline in pharmacology which is concerned with cancer. Behavioral pharmacology relates to the change due to consuming medicines on behavioral aspects of a person with regards to his memory, learning capacity, sleep levels, and learning. There are many other disciplines in this research field.

Educational Requirements
During your schooling, it is better to concentrate on subjects such as biology, chemistry, math, and others from the science field. If you are thinking of becoming a pharmacologist, you need to possess the same educational qualifications that are required to be a pharmacist, which is the Doctorate of Pharmacology (PharmD) degree from a recognized school. However, some employers may even hire pharmacologists with an MSc in pharmacology. Those who want to excel in the field can opt for obtaining a PhD degree. You may even have to choose a degree that is specific to the field of employment.

Salary Range
The median per annum earnings of a pharmacologist is believed to be around $90,000. However, this figure may fluctuate as per the experience, specialization, state and city of employment, and the type of employer. The following table will give you estimated statistics about the annual income of pharmacologists classified as per state of employment and experience level.

Years of Experience Median Salary Scale 0 to One Year $22,000 - $95,000 One to Four Years $50,000 - $99,000 Five to Nine Years $75,000 - $105,000 10 to 19 Years $95,000 - $124,000 Over 20 Years $76,500 - $158,000

State of Employment Median Salary Scale New York $24,000 - $124,000 California $39,000 - $100,000 Texas $75,000 - $95,000 New Jersey $96,500 - $148,000 Massachusetts $93,000 - $125,000

You need to consider pharmacology career options only after you are sure you will enjoy this research-based job. Though the starting pay of these professionals is low, you can earn a substantial amount after a couple of years of experience and expertise.