NOC 31120: Pharmacists

The employment outlook will be Good for pharmacists (NOC 31120) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Since April 2023, the provincial government has expanded the scope of practice for pharmacists, so they can extend prescriptions for up to a year instead of 90 days. In addition, they can now assess and prescribe for certain ailments and conditions, with pharmacist fees being covered through the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Plan. This has been done to help reduce visits to emergency rooms and walk-in clinics for relatively minor issues. Moreover, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services has been actively recruiting, using a variety of incentives such as cash bonuses.

Here are some key facts about pharmacists in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Approximately 850 people work in this occupation.

Pharmacists mainly work in the following sectors:

Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 78%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 20%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 89% compared to 83% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 11% compared to 17% for all occupations

82% of pharmacists work all year, while 17% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.

11% of pharmacists are self-employed compared to an average of 8% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 44% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 56% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 16% compared to 23% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 69% compared to 14% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 12% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for pharmacists (NOC 31120) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

Pharmacists remain in high demand across the province, with growth driven by the province’s aging population, expanded health-care needs, and increasing reliance on prescription drugs and health services. Recent media reports show that staffing shortages in the province are worsening, with vacancies for pharmacists and technicians projected to increase considerably in the coming years, which may force some community pharmacies to reduce their hours. Pharmacists are playing a larger role in primary care delivery, including administering vaccines, offering medication reviews, and supporting chronic disease management, as part of Health P.E.I.’s strategy to ease physician shortages. Retail chains and community pharmacies continue to expand services, while pharmacists must complete annual continuing education to stay current with new therapies and regulations. The profession is also evolving with the rise of non-prescription remedies, digital health tools, and consulting roles, making communication and patient-care skills as important as technical expertise.

Here are some key facts about pharmacists in Prince Edward Island:

Approximately 300 people work in this occupation.

Pharmacists mainly work in the following sectors:

Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 70%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 26%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 89% compared to 84% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 11% compared to 16% for all occupations

77% of pharmacists work all year, while 23% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.

11% of pharmacists are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 30% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 70% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: 83% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 17% compared to 8% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for pharmacists (NOC 31120) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Recent graduates from fields of study related to this occupation have found it difficult to find work.

During the past decade, a surplus of pharmacists has given way to a shortage. Pharmacists looking for work in the province should have little difficulty finding employment. Larger employers such as chain pharmacies and grocery stores are hiring continuously, while smaller independent pharmacies hire occasionally as needed.



Demand for this occupation has increased due to the aging and growing population in the province. Pharmacists have also been part of a trend of broadening scope of practice for health care professionals in the context of a physician shortage. Due to both factors, upward pressure on salaries has been noted, improving opportunities for jobseekers. The wider scope of practice has also served to increase in interest in the profession; even so, the domestic supply of new graduates is currently not meeting demand, so some employers have been recruiting internationally.

Here are some key facts about pharmacists in Nova Scotia:

Approximately 1,450 people work in this occupation.

Pharmacists mainly work in the following sectors:

Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 82%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 16%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 78% compared to 82% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 22% compared to 18% for all occupations

81% of pharmacists work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

9% of pharmacists are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 26% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 74% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 27% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 80% compared to 20% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 18% compared to 10% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for pharmacists (NOC 31120) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

As the population continues to age, the growing need for prescription drugs and health services will support the demand for this occupation. An increase in the number of pharmacies at retail chains, combined with added services to improve access to care, may add to employment opportunities.

Furthermore, resource pressures across the health delivery network have resulted in an expanded role for pharmacists in service delivery, enabling them to provide a broader range of services. Pharmacists may prescribe medicines; give COVID, flu shots, and other vaccines; assess, treat and prescribe for certain minor ailments and review medications and provide health checks. On the other hand, with the advent of the regulated Pharmacy Technician, it is possible that some employers may choose to reduce pharmacist hours in favor of the latter, as these professionals are less costly to employ.

Shift work in this field is common. More opportunities will be available to those who speak French, as there are more vacancies in the province’s francophone communities. As part of their annual licensing requirements, pharmacists must take a certain amount of continuing education in order keep up to date on industry and product information.

In order to work in New Brunswick, a pharmacist must register with the New Brunswick College of Pharmacists. Candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Here are some key facts about pharmacists in New Brunswick:

Approximately 900 people work in this occupation.

Pharmacists mainly work in the following sectors:

Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 80%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 16%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 88% compared to 84% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 12% compared to 16% for all occupations

82% of pharmacists work all year, while 18% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

15% of pharmacists are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 32% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 68% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 30% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: 75% compared to 16% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 23% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for pharmacists (NOC 31120) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

Pharmacies and drug stores

Hospitals

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

Greater need for medication management and overall health care services to support the growing and aging population in Ontario

Investments in health care facilities and hospitals

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

Registration with the Ontario College of Pharmacists is required to practise

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

Ability to work evenings and weekends to meet client needs may be required

Generally, Bridging Programs are available to assist internationally trained professionals in various fields enter the labour market more quickly in the province.

Here are some key facts about pharmacists in Ontario:

Approximately 17,350 people work in this occupation.

Pharmacists mainly work in the following sectors:

Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 76%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 17%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 84% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 16% compared to 19% for all occupations

76% of pharmacists work all year, while 24% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

23% of pharmacists are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 41% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 59% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 55% compared to 24% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 42% compared to 13% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for pharmacists (NOC 31120) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Alberta’s population and its proportion of residents aged 65+ are predicted to increase over the next decade, contributing to demand for this occupation.

In 2025, Alberta increased total health spending to $28 billion, marking a 5.4% rise from the previous year.

Ongoing healthcare needs and retirements continue to support steady demand across the sector.

Here are some key facts about pharmacists in Alberta:

Approximately 4,500 people work in this occupation.

Pharmacists mainly work in the following sectors:

Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 73%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 19%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 82% compared to 80% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 18% compared to 20% for all occupations

75% of pharmacists work all year, while 25% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

16% of pharmacists are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 39% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 61% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 72% compared to 21% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 25% compared to 9% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for pharmacists (NOC 31120) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Here are some key facts about pharmacists in British Columbia:

Approximately 8,100 people work in this occupation.

Pharmacists mainly work in the following sectors:

Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 70%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 25%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 82% compared to 78% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 18% compared to 22% for all occupations

76% of pharmacists work all year, while 24% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

14% of pharmacists are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 42% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 57% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 65% compared to 22% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 33% compared to 12% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for pharmacists (NOC 31120) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Employment in this profession depends primarily on the scope of practice and the volume of medications prescribed.

To improve public access to healthcare, Quebec pharmacists are now authorized to perform new acts such as prescribing medications for simple health problems, adjusting prescriptions to ensure proper dosage, ordering laboratory tests to monitor medication efficacy and safety, and administering vaccinations, for example. This expansion of their scope of practice helps to stimulate demand for these professionals.

Furthermore, the aging population is creating additional needs in healthcare, medication management, and research and development of new drugs, which should also support employment in this occupational group.

Here are some key facts about pharmacists in Quebec:

Approximately 11,300 people work in this occupation.

Pharmacists mainly work in the following sectors:

Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 76%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 18%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 85% compared to 82% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 15% compared to 18% for all occupations

78% of pharmacists work all year, while 22% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

23% of pharmacists are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 32% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 68% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 49% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 48% compared to 11% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for pharmacists (NOC 31120) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Demand for this occupation is driven by the province's growing and aging population and provincial government spending on healthcare.

Legislative changes are expected to expand this occupation's scope of practice, which will likely increase demand and growth.

The Province's Extended Practice Pharmacists (EPPh) allows pharmacists to prescribe medication within their specialty area.

Key trends include telepharmacy, precision medicine, and personalized treatment.

Here are some key facts about pharmacists in Manitoba:

Approximately 1,900 people work in this occupation.

Pharmacists mainly work in the following sectors:

Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 74%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 22%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 80% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 20% compared to 19% for all occupations

76% of pharmacists work all year, while 24% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

13% of pharmacists are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 45% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 55% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 31% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 77% compared to 20% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 22% compared to 8% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for pharmacists (NOC 31120) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Greater need for medication management and overall healthcare services to support the growing and aging population in Saskatchewan.

There is high demand for this occupation as the provincial government ramps up initiatives to address persisting labour shortages across the health care sector.

Recent expansion in training and scope of practice for pharmacists by the provincial government to include more health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart failure, widens the job functions for practitioners in this occupation.

Here are some key facts about pharmacists in Saskatchewan:

Approximately 2,000 people work in this occupation.

Pharmacists mainly work in the following sectors:

Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 74%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 23%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 85% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 15% compared to 19% for all occupations

81% of pharmacists work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

14% of pharmacists are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 31% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 69% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 33% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 86% compared to 18% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 13% compared to 7% for all occupations

An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.

An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.