The proportion of employee pharmacists receiving a pay rise has fallen for the second year in a row, the C+D Salary Survey 2012 has found.

The average pay for a full-time* pharmacist branch manager has risen slightly to £46,038.31 this year, from £45,326.55 last year.

But just 45 per cent of almost 900 pharmacist branch managers and non-manager pharmacists who responded to the survey received a pay rise in the previous 12 months, this compared with 55 per cent last year and 63 per cent in 2010.

The average pay for a full-time* pharmacist branch manager has risen slightly to £46,038.31 this year, from £45,326.55 in 2011	More from the Salary Survey 2012 Cat M and CCGs top contractors' worry list Half of pharmacists tighten belts as cost of living rises Pharmacy's feeling the pinch
	Of the increases, 83 per cent were 3 per cent or less, with an average of 2.75 per cent, slightly up on last year's average employee pharmacist pay rise of 2.65 per cent. The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) expressed disappointment that not all pharmacists had received a pay rise, "despite the extra workload they are having to endure".

But Numark director of professional services Mimi Lau said it was not surprising pharmacy owners were looking to "contain" staff salaries as they were "the biggest cost to any business". "Our survey of our advisory board members showed they are cautious when it comes to investing in staff," she said.

But Ms Lau reminded contractors that "staff are the biggest asset to any pharmacy business". "Our message to independents is to use their people more effectively to encourage take-up of services and tap into new income streams."

Employee pharmacist earnings

£46,038.31 Average salary for a full-time* pharmacist branch manager

45% Received a pay rise

13% Say their pay decreased

2.75% Was the average pay increase

49% Received a bonus

8% Received a promotion

Source: C+D Salary Survey 2012 – *working 35 or more hours per week; all other results apply to all pharmacist branch managers and non-manager pharmacists

For more results, comment and news from the Salary Survey 2012 as well as tools including a salary calculator, wheel of blame, interactive map and employed/locum comparison calculator and much more click here