How Does the US Pharmaceutical Industry Compare to Other Countries?

The pharmaceutical industry is a global affair.

All over the world, companies and research teams are working hard to solve the big medical challenges we face today, so pharma professionals needn't limit themselves to one tiny corner of the market. That said, there is one nation that stands out above all the others, dominating nearly half of the global market: the United States.

With your expertise and training, you doubtless have plenty to offer any prospective employer. But what can the US pharmaceutical industry offer you?

Perhaps you've already established yourself in the industry and are ready for the next step up. Perhaps you're fresh of out of a postgraduate program and considering your next steps. Perhaps you're about to start an undergraduate course in pharmacology and you're wondering where this path might lead in the future. In any case, it's good to know what your options are.

To help you make the right choice for your career, let's examine how the US pharmaceutical industry compares to those of other countries...

Pharmaceutical innovation in the United States

Discovery and innovation is the name of the game in pharmaceuticals, and approximately half of all new drugs are developed in the USA. This means a plethora of career opportunities in research and development, production, regulation, quality assurance and marketing.

For those interested in the manufacturing side of pharmaceuticals, there is also growing demand for automation innovation in the American pharma industry.

What pharmaceutical employment opportunities are available in the US?

Perhaps unsurprisingly given America's market share, some of the biggest names in the pharmaceutical sphere maintain their world headquarters in the USA. These include Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Merck & Co.

This means there are also opportunities for C-suite executives at the top of these companies in the US. Candidates who have significant experience in the field of life sciences can put their expertise to work at the very top tier of these companies.

There's also currently a skills gap in the life sciences market globally, and the US in particular is looking to close that gap. Using this time to get ahead of the competition (for example, by levelling up your own skillset and proficiency in the areas where the industry is most lacking) could open up more opportunities if you're hoping to get a foot in the US pharmaceutical door.

Salaries in the US pharmaceutical industry

Pharmaceutical professionals in the US have an average salary of $55K per annum, with top level managers reaching an annual salary up to $120K (although this varies by region).

Entry-level roles can pay up to $40K per year – that's approximately £31.1K. For comparison, entry-level roles in the UK's pharmaceutical sector tend to pay less than £30K per annum.

When compared with other countries, US pharma salaries are among the highest in the world, on both the R&D and the manufacturing side. Not only that, but they're on on the rise too!