When you think of the most stressful job in the Netherlands, professions like ICU nurse, police officer, or teacher probably come to mind. However, one role tops that list by a significant margin, and it’s one you might not expect: pharmacy assistant.
New figures show that more than half of this group suffers from work-related stress. At the same time, their salary has recently been raised considerably. The only question is: does the extra money compensate for the constant pressure behind the counter?
Pharmacy Assistant Leads in Stressful Work #
According to a study by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and TNO, 51% of pharmacy assistants experience their work as stressful. The high workload has long been a thorn in the side for the FNV and CNV trade unions.
They pointed out earlier this year that schedules are overcrowded, there are too few new students entering training programs, and the working conditions do not match. Since talks yielded little, actions and strikes followed to at least get wages raised significantly.
With success: the Van Spaendonck Wage Index Q3 2025 shows that pharmacy assistants saw one of the largest wage increases in the country. Between the second and third quarters, the average gross monthly salary rose by 8%, from €3,568.27 to €3,853.73. That’s almost three hundred euros extra per month.
Work Pressure and Aggression #
According to the researchers, stressful jobs often boil down to two things: high task demands and little freedom. This fits perfectly with the daily work in a pharmacy. There are strict protocols, prescriptions must be checked flawlessly, and patients expect everything to be arranged quickly. There is little room to organize the work in your own way, while the responsibility is precisely great.
On top of that comes a persistent staff shortage. Three-quarters of pharmacies have too few people on staff, and pharmacy assistants are the hardest to find. At the same time, there is a medicine shortage, meaning patients regularly hear that their medication is not available. This leads to long queues, angry reactions at the counter, and in some cases even physical violence.
Not only pharmacy assistants experience above-average stress. The education and healthcare sectors are the sectors with the most stress. 38.5% of primary school teachers and medical practice assistants, followed by doctors and secondary school teachers. The average of workers experiencing stress at work is 16%.