The Rounds Journal · For pharmacists
Why pharmacy pay is low and hiring is hard
Starting salaries that barely cover rent, better pay only for owners, and women who struggle to get hired. Pharmacists describe the job market.
Pharmacy is one of the most crowded health professions in the region. Graduates from across the Middle East, South Asia and beyond compete for retail posts, and many say the result is low starting pay.
“the pay scale is very low due to the high number of people being hired at a starting salary of 3,500 AED”
“It is not a high paying job in the middle east unless you have your own pharmacy.”
“As a licensed female pharmacist in the UAE, I feel like I’m doing everything I can ... but it’s still so hard to get hired.”
Supply and demand
When many licensed pharmacists apply for the same entry-level retail roles, employers can keep starting salaries low. Retail chains also run on tight margins, so staff costs are kept under close control.
Ownership
Pharmacists who own a pharmacy, or a share of one, take the business profit as well as a salary. That is why ownership comes up so often when people talk about pay. It also carries risk, capital requirements and, in some countries, rules about who can own a pharmacy.
Getting hired as a woman
Some female pharmacists report difficulty getting offers despite holding a licence. The reasons they suggest range from assumptions about night shifts to preferences for particular nationalities. Whatever the cause, it leaves qualified pharmacists out of work.
What can help
Look beyond retail. Hospital, clinical and industry roles often pay more and compete for different skills.
Hold licences in more than one jurisdiction where possible. In the UAE, for example, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the federal ministry each license separately.
Build a specialism such as oncology, infectious diseases or clinical nutrition.
Add skills employers find scarce: inventory and supply management, data, or people management.
Use professional networks and associations. Many roles are filled before they are advertised.
Salary ranges and licensing rules differ by country and employer and change over time.