Jobs Similar to Pharmacists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to pharmacists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants and Neurologists.
Pharmacists: $140,910 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Pharmacists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 85% | $132,300−6% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | Physician AssistantsSame group | 84% | $135,880−4% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | NeurologistsSame group | 83% | $248,560+76% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Preventive Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 83% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 83% | $292,910+108% | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Allergists and ImmunologistsSame group | 83% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 7 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 82% | $256,560+82% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | HospitalistsSame group | 82% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Family Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 82% | $244,180+73% | Graduate degree |
| 10 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 82% | $335,550+138% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Clinical Nurse SpecialistsSame group | 82% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Pediatricians, GeneralSame group | 82% | $210,040+49% | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 81% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 14 | OptometristsSame group | 81% | $136,570−3% | Graduate degree |
| 15 | PsychiatristsSame group | 81% | $281,870+100% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Dietitians and NutritionistsSame group | 81% | $76,400−46% | Graduate degree |
| 17 | Nurse MidwivesSame group | 80% | $134,040−5% | Graduate degree |
| 18 | DermatologistsSame group | 80% | $328,730+133% | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Critical Care NursesSame group | 80% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | UrologistsSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
- 1Nurse Practitioners
85% similar · $132,300 (−6%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Physician Assistants
84% similar · $135,880 (−4%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Neurologists
83% similar · $248,560 (+76%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Preventive Medicine Physicians
83% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Obstetricians and Gynecologists
83% similar · $292,910 (+108%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Allergists and Immunologists
83% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7General Internal Medicine Physicians
82% similar · $256,560 (+82%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Hospitalists
82% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Family Medicine Physicians
82% similar · $244,180 (+73%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Emergency Medicine Physicians
82% similar · $335,550 (+138%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Clinical Nurse Specialists
82% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Pediatricians, General
82% similar · $210,040 (+49%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
81% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Optometrists
81% similar · $136,570 (−3%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Psychiatrists
81% similar · $281,870 (+100%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Dietitians and Nutritionists
81% similar · $76,400 (−46%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Nurse Midwives
80% similar · $134,040 (−5%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Dermatologists
80% similar · $328,730 (+133%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Critical Care Nurses
80% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 20Urologists
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than pharmacists.
- Emergency Medicine Physicians82% similar · $335,550 (+138%)
- Dermatologists80% similar · $328,730 (+133%)
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists83% similar · $292,910 (+108%)
- Psychiatrists81% similar · $281,870 (+100%)
- General Internal Medicine Physicians82% similar · $256,560 (+82%)
- Neurologists83% similar · $248,560 (+76%)
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for pharmacists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like pharmacists
What jobs are most similar to pharmacists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Nurse Practitioners (85% similar), Physician Assistants (84% similar), Neurologists (83% similar), Preventive Medicine Physicians (83% similar) and Obstetricians and Gynecologists (83% similar).
Which jobs like pharmacists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Emergency Medicine Physicians ($335,550, +138%; usually a graduate degree), Dermatologists ($328,730, +133%; usually a graduate degree) and Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($292,910, +108%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with pharmacists ($140,910). Without more preparation than pharmacists usually need: Emergency Medicine Physicians, Dermatologists and Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.