Job prospects Community Pharmacist in the Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake Region

Over the past few years (2021-2023), there was a major labour shortage for Pharmacists in the Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake Region. There were far more job openings than workers available to fill them in this occupation.

Source Labour Market Information | Recent Trends Assessment Methodology

The employment outlook will be good for Pharmacists (NOC 31120) in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several 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 20 years, contributing to demand for this occupation. Alberta’s Budget 2023 allocates $24.5 billion for health services in 2023-24, an increase of $965 million or 4.1% from 2022-23, including $54 million over three years for a new program to renovate and upgrade 33 pharmacies in 20 AHS facilities to meet new standards for sterile compounding adopted by the Alberta College of Pharmacists. Alberta plans to reform the management structure of Alberta Health Services this year which may have implications for job seekers.

Here are some key facts about Pharmacists in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region:

• Approximately 120 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Pharmacists mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Retail Trade (NAICS 44-45): 74%
  • Ambulatory health care services and hospitals (NAICS 621-622): 26%

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology