Which are the best states to take your pharmaceutical sales rep career?

With an industry reportedly worth $1420 billion in 2021, careers as a pharmaceutical sales rep can be challenging and financially rewarding. But when it comes to earning potential, not all states are created equally. The location you choose to build your career can also have an impact on the number of job opportunities and potential sales rep interviews you will be invited to.

Although other factors come into play, such as the cost of living in the state that you work in, in many cases you can increase income and quality of life by picking the best state in which to pursue your pharmaceutical career.

In this article, we offer you insight into the best states to take your pharmaceutical sales rep career.

Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts is primarily a great place for pharma careers due to its state capital, Boston. The city of Boston has seen significant investments in life sciences in recent years and was predicted to be home to over 100,000 life science professionals in 2020, including those in the pharmaceutical industry, with many others located in other areas close by.

With a highly educated population, pharmaceuticals is a well-established industry in the city, making it the perfect place to network with like-minded individuals.

New York

It is likely no surprise that New York has made the list of states that are great for pharmaceutical careers. Home to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, New York is filled with countless opportunities to connect with industry professionals and find potential sales opportunities.

New York also has one of the highest volumes of pharma sales jobs in the US, making it perfect for those looking to excel and take the next step in their career.

California

Home to cities including LA, San Diego, and San Francisco, California is widely acknowledged as the leading state for those looking to start and progress their career in pharmaceutical sales. Recent statistics suggest that California is home to 745 drug and pharmaceutical companies and over 12,000 other companies in related fields, highlighting the vast opportunities available in this location.

Pharma sales reps in California also receive the highest salaries in the US and there are large volumes of jobs available to those in the profession, with a reported 12,071 pharma sale positions currently available in the state.

Although salaries are significantly higher than in other parts of the country, it is important to account for the fact that California also has some of the highest living costs.

Washington

With 1550 pharma sales jobs and a high average salary, Washington state is another smart choice for those looking to pursue or advance a career in pharmaceutical sales. Those who live and work in the state also benefit from paying zero income tax, which can increase your take-home pay. However, this is typically offset by a much higher sales tax than you would find in other states.

Move your pharmaceutical sales career forward

It is clear that pharmaceutical sales is a promising, exciting, and potentially lucrative career to pursue. Taking the time to consider which state is best to pursue your career in will help you plan out your potential salary, career progression opportunities, and lifestyle.

At IQVIA, we create some of the best pharmaceutical career opportunities across the US. If you’re interested in finding out more, you can review our current pharmaceutical sales rep jobs.

Alternatively, to stay up to date with all the latest opportunities you can sign up for job alerts here.