Kiplinger magazine ranks pharmacy as best college degree for lucrative career

NEW YORK — For job security and good salary growth, become a pharmacist or nurse. That's the message from a recent ranking of the most lucrative college majors in Kiplinger magazine.

According to the magazine, pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences majors "graduate into a welcoming job market," with an average starting salary of $42,100 per year and mid-career salary of $120,000. Mid-career unemployment rates are a low 2.5%, and job growth is projected at 36.4%.

In terms of low unemployment rates, pharmacy majors are second only to nursing majors. Nurses, Kiplinger reported, start at $54,100 per year, with mid-career salaries of $70,200, 2.3% mid-career unemployment rates and 26% projected job growth.

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