Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciencesat University of California-Davis
Graduates earn $40,002/yr in their first year — about 25.0% below the national Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $839K; scenarios range from $722K to $865K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Davis
Your path from UC Davis in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration will likely lead to diverse opportunities, but it’s crucial to understand the nuances behind the initial earnings figures. The "Pharmaceutical Sciences" component often points graduates towards roles in research, development, or quality control within the broader biotech and pharmaceutical industry, which can have more moderate starting salaries compared to direct entry into a pharmacist role. Many students leverage this strong scientific foundation for further graduate studies (including a PharmD), which explains why initial post-baccalaureate salaries might appear lower than the national average for the field's higher-paying specializations.
The program's location in Northern California, while not a direct biotech hub like the Bay Area, provides proximity to leading pharmaceutical companies and research institutions for internships and early-career networking. However, the listed high AI risk reflects the increasing automation in routine dispensing and data analysis within traditional pharmacy roles. To mitigate this, actively pursue roles that emphasize complex problem-solving, patient consultation, or advanced research and development. Focus on internships in specialized industry segments or clinical pharmacy to position yourself for roles less susceptible to automation and with higher growth potential.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Davis's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
How UC Davis stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Davis
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Davis, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC Davis
What does a 65/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of California-Davis?
At 65/100, the score looks reasonable — but Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of California-Davis?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of California-Davis a good choice for Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-Davis's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.