According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for pharmacists will be very good in the next decade. A pharmacist dispenses prescription medication to patients and counsels patients about how to take the medication and about possible drug interactions or side effects. The majority of pharmacists work in hospitals and retail drugstores. An individual considering a career as a pharmacist should have strong leadership skills and be able to communicate effectively with customers. In the United States, pharmacists complete at least 2 years of college education before earning a Pharm. D. degree from either a college or pharmaceutical school. The Pharm. D. degree takes 4 years to complete. A pharmacist earns between $90,000 and $120,000 a year depending on the place of employment and the number of years he or she has been working in the profession.