What are standard salaries for a pharmacy technician?
Technical support in a pharmacy is included under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. This work requires a working knowledge of the following: pharmacy nomenclature, pharmaceutical strengths and characteristics; pharmaceutical systems of weights, measures; operation of pharmacy equipment; and pharmaceutical procedures. PharmTechEDU will help you along your journey to enhance your future career.
Technical and medical support positions require special knowledge and skills. These skills can be acquired on the job, or through training once you are hired. Sometimes certifications are necessary to be qualified. An Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree will give you a higher starting grade and allow for promotion. Promotions are typically given one grade at a stretch, up to GS-9.
Pharmacy Technician Median Annual Salary
If you are considering a career in healthcare, one factor you should consider is your salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians make a median salary of $36,740 per year.
Here’s a list of the median annual salaries for pharm tech professionals by state.
| State | Median Salary | Lower 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $46,470 | $36,650 | $59,280 |
| Alabama | $30,030 | $23,020 | $38,830 |
| Arkansas | $29,650 | $23,450 | $45,470 |
| Arizona | $37,240 | $29,280 | $47,150 |
| California | $46,760 | $36,340 | $74,910 |
| Colorado | $37,390 | $29,310 | $47,790 |
| Connecticut | $36,640 | $29,060 | $47,790 |
| District of Columbia | $46,550 | $36,990 | $59,630 |
| Delaware | $30,020 | $23,190 | $46,890 |
| Florida | $36,550 | $28,840 | $46,330 |
| Georgia | $35,000 | $23,370 | $46,190 |
| Hawaii | $36,920 | $28,610 | $58,540 |
| Iowa | $36,590 | $28,590 | $46,210 |
| Idaho | $36,910 | $28,990 | $47,120 |
| Illinois | $36,630 | $29,040 | $46,790 |
| Indiana | $36,360 | $28,750 | $46,150 |
| Kansas | $36,630 | $28,270 | $46,470 |
| Kentucky | $30,140 | $23,450 | $45,620 |
| Louisiana | $35,870 | $28,280 | $45,850 |
| Massachusetts | $37,240 | $29,560 | $55,850 |
| Maryland | $36,840 | $29,030 | $47,790 |
| Maine | $36,140 | $28,600 | $46,250 |
| Michigan | $36,590 | $28,170 | $46,860 |
| Minnesota | $39,900 | $29,490 | $58,250 |
| Missouri | $32,050 | $26,330 | $46,170 |
| Mississippi | $35,640 | $28,360 | $45,640 |
| Montana | $36,880 | $29,430 | $47,150 |
| North Carolina | $35,930 | $27,260 | $46,470 |
| North Dakota | $45,410 | $29,070 | $51,080 |
| Nebraska | $36,640 | $28,770 | $46,700 |
| New Hampshire | $36,820 | $28,910 | $47,160 |
| New Jersey | $36,810 | $29,100 | $46,920 |
| New Mexico | $36,690 | $28,980 | $47,830 |
| Nevada | $37,190 | $29,230 | $47,130 |
| New York | $36,790 | $29,130 | $56,850 |
| Ohio | $35,140 | $23,250 | $46,460 |
| Oklahoma | $30,610 | $27,930 | $46,620 |
| Oregon | $46,190 | $35,690 | $59,390 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,290 | $23,170 | $46,470 |
| Rhode Island | $36,820 | $29,360 | $47,110 |
| South Carolina | $36,330 | $28,420 | $46,450 |
| South Dakota | $36,680 | $29,080 | $46,190 |
| Tennessee | $35,520 | $28,110 | $46,010 |
| Texas | $36,900 | $29,080 | $47,150 |
| Utah | $37,390 | $29,280 | $47,460 |
| Virginia | $36,450 | $28,790 | $47,030 |
| Vermont | $36,800 | $28,930 | $46,470 |
| Washington | $46,690 | $36,590 | $59,540 |
| Wisconsin | $36,670 | $28,850 | $47,000 |
| West Virginia | $29,280 | $22,970 | $45,550 |
| Wyoming | $37,510 | $29,270 | $47,790 |
Source: U.S. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 2021 median salary; projected job rise through 2030. Actual salaries can vary depending on where you live, your education level, years of work experience, the environment in which you work, and many other factors. For those who work part-time or are self-employed, salaries may be even higher.
This Article
There are many factors that affect the salary of a pharmacy technician. You can increase your earning potential by taking steps to improve your career.
What factors can affect my salary?
There are many factors that influence the salary of a pharmacy technician. Glen Gard, CPhT and CSPT director of sterile compounding compliance at Option Care Health, says that “certainly, more education or experience translate into higher pay.” These are only two variables.
These are the factors that will impact your pay when you think about becoming a pharmacy tech.
- Place of employment
- Education
- Certification(s)
- Type of role
- Located where you work
- Type and years of experience
The Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Pharmacy Technicians
Some metropolitan areas and cities pay well. According to the BLS, California is home to 10 of the highest-paying areas in the United States. The Golden State is actually the most lucrative state in the country.
Remember that salaries are not everything before you decide to move to these top-paying areas. In more expensive areas, take-home pay isn’t as generous. When considering where you want to work as a pharmacy technician, consider all financial considerations.
| Metro Area | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Napa, CA | $62,710 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $55,930 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale – Santa Clara, CA | $55,370 |
| Vallejo Fairfield, CA | $52,630 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $50,680 |
| Salinas, CA | $47,830 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $47,460 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | $47,430 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville (CA) | $47,400 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $46,950 |
Some metropolitan areas and cities pay well. According to the BLS, California is home to 10 of the highest-paying areas in the United States. The Golden State is actually the most lucrative state in the country.
Remember that salaries are not everything before you decide to move to these top-paying areas. In more expensive areas, take-home pay isn’t as generous. When considering where you want to work as a pharmacy technician, consider all financial considerations.
Your Certifications
Some certifications are required in certain states, but not in all. It is important to find out what requirements your state has.
However, Certifications can help you in your career wherever you work. He says that about half of all states require national certification (such as CPhT) and more are requiring it. “Certification proves that you have completed a training program, or on-the job training, and that your knowledge is essential to becoming a pharmacy technician.
A certification can do more than increase your job options; it can also help you to get a better salary.
There are many options for certifications:
- Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
- Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician
- Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician
These certifications can be used to demonstrate advanced knowledge in a particular field. These specialty certifications might be worth considering as you gain more experience.
- Certificate of Medication History
- Technician Product Verification Certificate
- Hazardous Drug Management Certificate
- Reimbursement and Billing Certificate
Salaries for Pharmacy Techs Compared to Other Allied Health Salaries
You likely share a passion for helping others if you’re looking to become a pharmacist technician. You can also find similar careers in healthcare.
It is essential to understand the differences between a pharmacist and a pharmacy technician . This can often lead to confusion. Although they are closely related, there are important differences between these two roles.
The pharmacy technician’s work is overseen by pharmacists who ensure that orders are correctly filled and medications are dispensed. Pharmacy techs are often in direct contact with patients, such as when they take prescription information or pay for them. However, pharmacists can answer questions and help patients safely and effectively use their medications.
You should consider the potential earnings for each job when you are considering your career options. Here’s a comparison of pharmacy technicians’ salaries to other healthcare occupations.
| Career | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | $36,740 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technicians and Technicians | $57,800 |
| Medical Records Specialists | $46,660 |
| Administrative Assistants and Medical Secretaries | $37,450 |
| Pharmacists | $128,570 |
Where you work
Gard states that there are many paths and settings for pharmacy technicians. There are many settings that can be used to employ pharmacy technicians.
According to the BLS, pharmacies and drug shops account for 51 percent of the pharmacy technician workforce. Hospitals have 17% while pharmacies are found in grocery stores have 9%.
You can also be affected by your place of work.
| Types of workplace | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Outpatient care centers | $57,100 |
| Services for research and development | $48,980 |
| Federal agencies | $48,420 |
| Hospitals for medical and surgical procedures | $43,230 |
| E-commerce and mail order settings | $38,950 |
| Wholesalers | $38,530 |
| Retail: Personal and health care shops | $35,230 |
Salary also depends on the role and the pharmacy technician job description in these settings. Gard states that the salary is generally higher for highly skilled positions.
Staff who are members of a union often earn more.
If you are considering a career as a pharmacy technician, it is important to understand where they are most in demand. According to the BLS, these states are the most popular for pharmacy technicians.
- Pharmacy Technician Texas
- Pharmacy Technician California
- Pharmacy Technician Florida
- Pharmacy Technician Illinois
- Pharmacy Technician New York
However, there is less demand in certain areas for pharmacist technicians. These are the least popular states for this field.
- Wyoming
- Alaska
- Vermont
- North Dakota
- Montana
Your Education
A high school diploma or GED is not required to get started as a pharmacy technician. This track is decreasing in popularity. Gard states that there is a growing expectation within the field that some education will be required.
You can train as a pharmacist by following three educational pathways: a diploma, certificate, associate degree or on-the job training provided to you by your employer.
Gard says that more education will lead to a higher salary when you are deciding which career path is right for you.
In general, more education means better pay.
You will be more competitive for job opportunities if you have a higher education than a high school diploma. Employers are increasingly requiring postsecondary education and training.
Outlook for the Job
Gard states that the job outlook is good for pharmacy technicians. BLS projects a 4% increase in employment from 2025 to 2035, which is slower than the average for all jobs within the U.S.
Gard states that as the U.S. population ages, so will the need for medication and care. The increasing number of chronic diseases that require ongoing medication is also leading to a greater demand for pharmacist technicians.
Bottom line: Pharmacy technicians are integral in ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.