PHARMACY degrees are proving to be Australia's top ticket to a job after graduating, but intern pharmacists are the lowest paid graduates, the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching 2019 Graduate Outcomes Survey reveals.
The survey found 95% of pharmacy graduates gained employment immediately after completing their academic training, however, the $48,000 average starting salary was the lowest, behind those with training in tourism, hospitality and recreation ($50,000), while the median dentistry graduate took home a starting salary of $88,200, the highest of all programs covered by the research.
Data from the survey found the gender pay gap between male and female pharmacy interns had been eliminated in 2019, bridging a $5,300 difference between the sexes, with male intern's pay dropping by $3,300, while female incomes climbed $2,000.
The current average starting salary for interns falls significantly short of the $80,000-plus superannuation, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) wants for entry-level registered pharmacists by 2023.
The survey's authors noted that graduates of healthcare training programs generally had high rates of immediate employment upon graduation because of the professional registration requirements.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 30 Oct 19
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