The Future of Pharmacy: Navigating Through Workforce Shortages and Industry Shifts

By Eliza Hetrick | July 9, 2025

Demand for pharmacy professionals is likely to continue increasing through at least 2033. Actalent’s extensive network of pharmacy talent and focus on consultant care helps clients identify and retain the expertise they need to meet patient needs.

Increasing Demand for Pharmacy Talent

The demand for pharmacy talent has seen a notable increase over the last year. In the first five months of 2025, external job postings rose 11% for pharmacists and 5% for pharmacy technicians compared to the same period in 2024, according to Lightcast data. Compared to ten years ago, the increase in demand is even more significant: job postings are up 80% for pharmacists and 190% for pharmacy technicians compared to the same period in 2015. Actalent’s internal business has reflected a similar trend, with clients requesting help finding pharmacy talent at a rising rate of 11% year-over-year.

The factors driving this surge in demand for talent are expected to continue shaping pharmacy-related hiring well into the future.

Increased Healthcare Demands

A recent report from IQVIA, Understanding the Use of Medicines in the U.S. 2025, revealed that total prescription medicine use in the U.S. reached 215 billion days of therapy – a 14% increase over the past five years. Additionally, the report found that total retail and long-term care prescriptions rose from 6.2 billion in 2019 to 7.1 billion in 2024.

Several factors are driving this growth. Like many other countries around the world, the U.S. faces an aging population that will require increased healthcare products and services, including prescription medications and medication management. Additionally, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases is also fueling demand for prescription medicines. New drug development and specific therapies in areas such as obesity, oncology and immunology have also contributed to a heightened demand for prescription drugs. Each of these factors is contributing to the rise in the number of prescriptions dispensed, adding pressure to pharmacy staff.

A Retiring Pharmacy Workforce

An aging population also implies an aging generation of workers. According to Lightcast data, 23.5% of currently employed pharmacists and 14.3% of pharmacy technicians are at least 55 years old, meaning that they have a higher likelihood of retiring soon. As these experienced professionals exit the workforce, their roles will need to be filled to maintain service levels. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 14,200 pharmacist openings and 47,400 pharmacy technician openings each year through 2033. The BLS explains, “many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.”

Connect With A Pharmacy Expert

The Evolving Pharmacy Landscape

The way pharmacies operate and fulfill patient needs is evolving. Telepharmacy, mail-order pharmacy, and other online and delivery-based pharmacy services have emerged as patients continue to seek more convenient ways to refill prescriptions — driven by factors such as chronic illnesses, pharmacy deserts and personal preference. At the same time, the specialty pharmacy market is experiencing exponential growth, fueled by the rising prevalence of chronic conditions and the development of specialty drugs.

For pharmacists and other pharmacy talent, an increase in the types of pharmacies means expanded career options. For employers, however, this means increased competition for workers (especially in pharmacy deserts or areas with a limited talent pool) to keep these locations operational and effective in meeting patient needs.

Burnout Among Pharmacy Staff

The Well-Being Index, developed at Mayo Clinic, revealed that burnout was highest among pharmacy professionals compared to all other practice types in 2024, with 65% of pharmacy professionals reporting burnout. Additionally, 71% of pharmacy professionals answered “yes” to the question, “During the past month, have you been bothered by emotional problems (such as feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable)?”.

SHRM reports that workers experiencing burnout are nearly three times more likely to actively search for another job. Several other studies have indicated that employee burnout can lead to disengagement at work, reduced worker productivity, reduced employee retention and negative impacts to employee health. Thus, burnout is believed to contribute to lower retention at many pharmacies.

Looking Ahead at the Future of Pharmacy

As mentioned, many of the factors driving demand for pharmacy talent are anticipated to last into the future. A population that is living longer, experiencing a higher prevalence of chronic diseases and requiring more prescription medicines from many types of pharmacy settings will need a reliable pharmacy workforce to fulfill patient needs.

The extensive collection of research pointing to high burnout levels among pharmacy staff suggests that burnout could be negatively impacting the pharmacy workforce. Employers noticing high turnover among pharmacy professionals should examine workloads, expectations, communication effectiveness, leadership quality, and other factors that have been shown to contribute to stress and burnout at work. Implementation of better workplace practices not only has the potential to improve retention among pharmacy staff, but it may also boost the attraction of candidates when additional staff are needed.

Partnering with a talent solutions provider like Actalent can help with workforce attraction and retention. We prioritize caring for our consultants and staying connected with them throughout their employment through performance reviews and feedback surveys.

Actalent Pharmacy infographic showcasing 900 pharmacy technicians and 120 pharmacists placed and Actalent's network of 131,000 pharmacy professionals and 177 dedicated health and medical recruiters.

Last year, Actalent placed over 900 pharmacy technicians and more than 120 pharmacists. With a network of over 131,000 pharmacy professionals and 177 dedicated health and medical recruiters nationwide, Actalent helps clients find the right talent to deliver high-quality care.

Contact Actalent today to discuss how our talent solutions can meet your pharmacy staffing needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About
the Future of Pharmacy

Why is there a growing demand for pharmacy professionals?

The demand is being driven by several factors, including an aging population, increased prevalence of chronic diseases, rising prescription volumes, and the expansion of pharmacy services like telepharmacy and specialty care. These trends are expected to continue, creating sustained demand for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

What roles are most in demand for the pharmacy industry right now?

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are seeing the highest demand, with job postings increasing significantly year-over-year.

What challenges are employers facing in hiring pharmacy professionals?

Employers are dealing with increased competition for talent, especially in pharmacy deserts and rural areas. Burnout, retirements, and evolving job expectations also make it harder to attract and retain qualified professionals.

How can Actalent help organizations meet their pharmacy staffing needs?

Actalent supports clients by leveraging a network of over 131,000 pharmacy professionals and 177 dedicated health and medical recruiters. They focus on consultant care, performance feedback, and long-term engagement to help clients attract and retain top pharmacy talent.

The Future of Pharmacy: Navigating Through Workforce Shortages and Industry Shifts