Pharmacologist

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Work Tasks

• Study the effects of drugs, gases, dusts, and chemicals on animals and humans
• Note how drugs affect organs, tissue, blood circulation, digestion, breathing, and other body functions
• Look for ways to prevent and cure diseases
• Make new and improved drugs and medicines
• Work in labs, offices, and classrooms for drug and chemical companies, food industries, research institutes, hospitals, the government, and for schools that teach pharmacy, medical, dentistry, nursing, and veterinary science
• Work with drugs, medicines, vaccines, lab equipment, animal organs and tissues, gases, dust, preservatives, dyes, reports, articles, and other data

Salary, Size & Growth

• $74,500 average per year ($35.75 per hour)
• A medium occupation (93,600 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (4.0% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A Ph.D. degree
• Employers Prefer: A medical degree (M.D.) plus a Ph.D. and post-doctoral research
• Skills/Courses: College courses include chemistry and biology.