5 pharmaceutical careers to explore right now

There are a number of pharmaceutical jobs that can offer you a unique experience in health care outside of the typical hospital setting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of health care occupations is projected to grow 14% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. That means about 1.9 million new jobs will need to be filled.

To help you out with your search for top pharmaceutical jobs, we compiled a list of some of the many options that are available right now.

Sales representative

This is probably one of the first jobs that will come to mind when people hear the word “pharmaceuticals." The job will require you to sell an organization’s product, build relationships with clients, maintain records, and have in depth knowledge of the company’s product.

According to PayScale, the average salary for a pharmaceuticals sales representative is $80,409 per year, with a reported salary range of $49,000 to $115,000.

Check out this pharmaceutical sales rep sample resume.

Find pharmaceutical sales jobs in on Monster.

Research & development manager

If you love learning and exploring new topics, you might want to pursue research and development in the pharmaceutical industry. The job involves research, project management, personnel management, and staying on top of large amounts of data.

According to PayScale, the average salary for a research and development manager in the pharmaceutical industry is $126,267 per year, with a reported salary range of $98,000 to $131,000.

Find pharmaceutical research and development manager jobs on Monster.

Project manager

The role of project manager can mean something different for every industry, but in the world of pharmaceuticals, it’s the person who is in charge of overseeing the development of new medical equipment and medicines. They work closely with engineers, doctors, and clinical researchers to ensure that everyone stays on budget and that the final product is delivered on time.

According to PayScale, the average salary for a project manager in the pharmaceutical industry is $92,854 per year, with a reported salary range of $59,000 to $143,000.

Find pharmaceutical project manager jobs on Monster.

Quality manager

The pharmaceutical industry involves a close attention to detail, since the final product is generally related to the public’s overall well being. Therefore, quality manager is another great role in pharmaceuticals for anyone who enjoys investigating and resolving issues and ensuring products are up to standards. The role requires managing records, delivering reports, implementing safety procedures for testing, and ensuring products meet the highest standards possible.

According to PayScale, the average salary for a quality manager in the pharmaceutical industry is $102,143 per year, with a reported salary range of $53,000 to $135,000.

Find pharmaceutical quality manager jobs on Monster.

Laboratory analyst

A laboratory analyst is responsible for testing the chemical or physical makeup of new products and samples to ensure they are accurate. If the product isn’t correct, they must evaluate the sample to determine what errors were made. It’s a role that also requires a strict knowledge of federal compliance regulations and standards.

According to PayScale, the average salary for a laboratory analyst in the pharmaceutical industry is $48,880 per year, with a reported salary range of $35,000 to $87,000.

Find laboratory analyst jobs on Monster.

Job search next steps

There's no secret formula to finding your ideal pharmaceutical job, but there certainly is a way to make the process a bit easier. Could you use some help with that? Join Monster for free today. As a member, you can upload up to five versions of your resume—each tailored to the types of pharmaceutical jobs that interest you. Recruiters search Monster every day looking to fill top jobs with qualified candidates, just like you. Additionally, you can get job alerts sent directly to your inbox to cut down on time spent looking through ads.