IT Employment Boom in Pharma: Statistics & Strategies

The pharmaceutical industry, a testament to human ingenuity, relies heavily on information technology (IT) to drive innovation and improve health outcomes. As pharmaceutical companies leverage IT for groundbreaking advancements, understanding the current IT employment landscape is crucial.

Surging Demand for Pharmaceutical IT Professionals:

The United States, a hub for pharmaceutical research, saw a significant increase in active job postings. As of June 2023, there were over 62,000 active postings, marking an 8.57% rise since March, with over 22,000 new positions added in June alone (Source 1). This growth highlights the growing demand for IT professionals with expertise in drug development, data management, and regulatory compliance.

Healthcare IT: A Booming Sector:

The broader healthcare sector mirrors this robust growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nearly 4.7 million new healthcare jobs from 2022 to 2032, primarily driven by the healthcare and social assistance sector. IT roles, particularly those focused on big data and analytics, are at the forefront of this expansion. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in life sciences is reshaping skill requirements, as evidenced by a 56.3% increase in data submissions to pharmaceutical and health science compensation surveys (Source 3). This trend indicates a shift towards data-driven decision-making.

Leadership and Expertise in Pharma IT:

The pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing sector alone employs over 331,850 individuals as of May 2022 (Source 4 & 5). Notably, management positions account for a substantial 12.42%, reflecting the critical need for leadership in orchestrating complex pharmaceutical IT operations. Furthermore, the rise of digital health technologies and cybersecurity concerns have fueled the growth of IT-related roles within the industry.

Big Data Hubs Emerge in North America:

North America is experiencing a hiring surge in big data roles within pharmaceuticals. The United States holds 61.4% of all big data job advertisements in the sector, indicating a concentrated effort to leverage data analytics for R&D (Source 6). Cities like Cambridge and Boston are becoming hubs for big data professionals in pharmaceuticals, highlighting the regional demand for this expertise.

A Call to Action: Adapting to the IT Revolution in Pharma

These statistics paint a clear picture: the pharmaceutical industry is experiencing an IT employment boom as advanced technologies integrate into every facet of its operations. Here’s what this means:

• For Employers: Stay competitive by actively recruiting and nurturing IT talent with the ability to deliver innovative solutions. Look beyond traditional talent pools to find individuals with a blend of technical expertise and pharmaceutical industry knowledge.
• For IT Professionals: The pharmaceutical industry offers a flourishing field with immense opportunities for career growth and the chance to contribute to healthcare advancements. As this sector continues to evolve, the need for specialized skills in data analytics, AI, cybersecurity, and digital health technologies will only become more pronounced.

The pharmaceutical industry isn’t just about discovering new drugs; it’s about harnessing the power of IT to accelerate this process while maintaining safety and efficacy. To thrive in this environment, both employers and IT professionals must adapt to the rapid pace of change in the pharmaceutical landscape.

1. “United States: Job Trends in the Pharmaceuticals Sector (March 2023).” GlobalData. June 2023. Link to source.

2. “Employment Projections – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. September 2023. Link to source.

3. “2023 Pay Trends in the Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences Industry.” Willis Towers Watson. 2023. Link to source.

4. “Pharmacy Technicians – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2023. Link to source.

5. “Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing – May 2022 OEWS Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2022. Link to source.

6. “North America is seeing a hiring boom in pharmaceutical industry big data roles.” Pharmaceutical Technology. 2023. Link to source.