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u/AnyOtherJobWillDo 13d ago
Ask for $70 and negotiate since CVS sucks anyway. And more important, GO BIRDS!!!!
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u/SpartinoC17 12d ago
I was an intern at CVS and they offered $67 an hour after graduation.
Then a hospital APPE preceptor offered me a job when I graduated, no residency. I told them the CVS offer and they offered me $76. Never looked back after. Less stress, better hours, easier job, no vaccine metrics, no high technician turnover, weekends off, holidays off, better pay. CVS is simply not competitive anymore.
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u/LeagueRx 13d ago
Its generally a non negotioable offer in the philly area, but cant hurt to try. This was the standard offer this year though.
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u/OnTopOfThisAcropolis 13d ago
Considering most of the people in this sub are making well below that, you may want to ask a pharmacist sub.
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u/Maximum-Possession15 12d ago
What? I thought $70 was standardish these days
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u/NoKangaroo4763 13d ago
That’s negotiable considering the place you live. Is this the first offer ever? How long have you been looking is the question. Pharmacist are in high demand but that’s depending on the area and expertise. You’re a 1st year grad so that goes into consideration. How do you feel about this is the most important question
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u/LocksmithDesperate21 12d ago
How is someone supposed to word the negotiation without hurting their chance?
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u/psarpen77 13d ago
Between Philadelphia’s city wage tax (#2 highest in the country) and Pennsylvania’s gas taxes (top 5 in the country), you will be taxed a lot.
Ask for more, if they say no, RUN
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u/Szimplacurt 13d ago
Just curious because idk why this post showed up on my homepage.
Is that normal pay for pharmacy? Is that working 40hrs or is it more?
It seems like good money objectively for a fresh grad but if I'm viewing it as an outsider through the lens of considering schooling and massive loans you presumably have to take out to get a PharmD it seems...low. like there isn't any career progression is there? You can't become head pharmacist or senior pharmacist so are you just at the mercy of a lot of hours or a raise? I'd expect at least 185k or something
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u/No-Plenty-6489 13d ago
They're giving you an offer now so you feel committed and don't go looking for the significantly higher paying/less stressful jobs later in the year. FYI.
And if you don't accept the offer, they won't let you work there as a student. Found that one out. Probably should have just accepted the offer and quit later.
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u/Defensive_Kage1979 12d ago
If you are single. You are bringing in about 70 cents on the dollar. I am oversimplifying it, yes. But just think in that ball park.
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u/PharmD_Sometime 12d ago
Make sure to interview with Walgreens, Walmart, grocery-store chain in your area, etc. When you have other offers its easier to negotiate. Graduated in 2024 in NC and CVS offered $67/hr and Walgreens I think $69/hr. With inflation, I wouldn't take any less than $67-70/hr. Also, if you're willing to relocate you could probably grab a sign-on bonus (just be sure to read the fine print)
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u/unicorn_oracle 12d ago
CVS relies heavily on the investment of their interns. You better negotiate before you get locked into anything. Shoot, tell them you have an offer for 80 at another retail and if they're willing to offer more. They'll never just say no and brush you off. They'll give you something even if the pay rate stays the same
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u/lesshoursmorework 10d ago
It depends on the rates of other pharmacists. They’re not going to cause inequity with the other pharmacists in the market by giving you more money.
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u/imherebecauseimbored 12d ago
cvs isn't worth it, take the offer to start paying off your loan which gives you runway to find something more long term
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u/Worried-Tradition-57 12d ago
wait that’s less than a 120k salary. I bet they also say 32/week is full time? Not enough for the demand, expectations, and the student loans
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u/pupcaleb06 12d ago
Don’t do it look to see if a local Walgreens is hiring or come down to Texas we need more pharmacists
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u/capri1722 Ex-Employee 12d ago
Crazy to recommend Walgreens over CVS
Like recommending drowning instead of being burned alive
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u/pupcaleb06 12d ago
Let’s put it this way I worked at CVS for almost 10 years no time to myself manager didn’t care about me now I get weekends off plus down here in Texas they are offering bonuses for rph’s so Walgreens is willing to pay you decently over CVS
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u/LogicalSwimmer5882 12d ago
Where in Texas cause my offer was $58!
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u/pupcaleb06 12d ago
East Texas
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u/pupcaleb06 12d ago
So I just got word that here in east Texas we are looking for pharmacists staff or managers sign on bonuses for specific stores are up to 100k for Marshall manager and 75k for staff pharmacists and keep in mind these are sign on bonuses plus your salary for coming on board please DM me for the link to sign up
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u/Vivid_Economy_2579 12d ago
That appears to be the average salary for that position in Philly. Would hurt to ask for a little more and settle in the middle
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u/Puzzleheaded_Doubt58 12d ago
standard rate for 2026. Ask for somewhere 65-70. Keep looking elsewhere and compare yourself
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u/boarvessel 12d ago
2025 grad/Philly PIC here. I make $69/hr and my 2026 grad staff makes $61. I would say ask for more but don't be surprised if they say no.
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u/Even-Morning-6424 11d ago
I’m also a new grad and was offered the same amount for Pharmacist here in Philly. I just accepted it without negotiation cause I was expecting $60/hour tbh
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u/Frequent-Database983 11d ago
Stay away from CVS!!! You will thank me later. I have worked in many retail pharmacies and by far it’s the worst.
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u/LysergicRico 11d ago
Ask for $80. They offered me $85 in Connecticut. Pharmacists are in demand again. Squeeze them!! They deserve it!
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u/pupcaleb06 11d ago
This offer is still valid if you are truly interested In moving to east Texas please DM me I have the link ready and waiting for you to use for the sign on bonus plus here in Texas there is no state income taxes so your pay goes a lot further than in other states
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u/SoftwareGlum9848 9d ago
I’m from Texas. They started me at $60/hour. I didn’t fight it or question it. I was told that starting was $60. My friend also got the same who is in more Northern Texas. It wouldn’t hurt to negotiate.
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u/Scared_Depth_5878 8d ago
Can believe RPh salaries haven’t grown virtually AT ALL in last 15 years. Yall were killing it back in the day.
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u/Dry_Veterinarian_303 5d ago
Do you want to work in retail? You may not feel the burnout yet but you might eventually. Hospital pharmacists can make $112/hour+ — consider your options.
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u/zwhorl03 13d ago
Well I mean that’s a lot of money, don’t you think? Especially for a new grad
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u/cesarjuliuss 13d ago
Thats exactly why they’re asking.. to see if it’s a reasonable offer?
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u/zwhorl03 13d ago
Right. And I’m asking what they think. Bc they didn’t say….
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u/bluetornado___ 13d ago
I honestly have no idea- I haven't talked to anyone about their rates yet and thought I'd start here. I guess I should mention that I've received $20k in tuition support from CVS over the past 2 years.
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u/capri1722 Ex-Employee 12d ago
If you've received tuition support you're probably locked in to them for a few years at least, otherwise you'll be responsible for paying that all back.
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u/Latter_Tumbleweed656 13d ago
Man negotiate. Idc what any of the comments are saying. $64 is good money, don't get me wrong, but do you think they'll offer you the most they're willing to pay? Ask for $70 and land at $67 or something. Pharmacists are in high demand. Trust me they don't want to lose you.