Pharmacy Technician Salaries

Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in the healthcare industry by assisting pharmacists in hospitals, pharmacies and retail stores. They prepare prescriptions and provide customer service. You do not need a college education to become a pharmacy technician. Training may be completed on the job or through a formal pharmacy technology program. A pharmacy tech salary can provide you with a good living in a growing occupation.

Pharmacy Technician Job Description

A pharmacy technician acts as an assistant to pharmacists by performing a range of basic tasks. Typically, the pharmacy tech begins by gathering prescription information from a patient or healthcare provider. She then measures, packages and labels the order. A pharmacy tech also may also collect payments from customers.

Other pharmacy technician duties include keeping inventory organized and notifying the pharmacist whenever a discrepancy or shortage of drugs is discovered. She is usually responsible for recording patient information. Pharmacy technicians answer customers' questions or refer them to the pharmacist when appropriate. In some states, pharmacy techs may also assist pharmacists in the mixing or compounding of medications.

Pharmacy Tech Work Environment

Pharmacy technicians work indoors, typically in pharmacy stores or departments located within larger facilities like retail stores and hospitals. Although heavy lifting is not usually needed, the work can be tiring since pharmacy tech are on their feet most of the time. Some pharmacy tech work regular business hours. However, many pharmacies are open 24/7, s9 they may work nights and weekends.

About 52 percent of pharmacy techs work in drugstores and pharmacies. Public and private hospitals employ 16 percent, while general merchandise stores employ another 10 percent. Eight percent work in food and beverage stores.

Training to Become a Pharmacy Technician

Many pharmacy technicians learn their skills through on-the-job training provided by the employer. Alternatively, people interested in this occupation can complete a pharmacy technology program. As of 2017, there were over 300 accredited programs offered through community colleges and vocational schools. Students need a high school diploma to become a pharmacy technician.

Trainee pharmacy techs use arithmetic to calculate medication amounts. They also learn how to record prescriptions they fill as well as the methods used to prepare and dispense drugs. Depending on state laws, a pharmacy tech may also learn how to compound or mix drugs under the supervision of a pharmacist. Training programs typically include working in a pharmacy to gain real-world experience. A pharmacy technology program usually takes one to two years and leads to formal certification or an associate's degree. Because state rules vary, you should contact your state board of pharmacy for licensing requirements. Typically, these include a high school diploma, completion of an accredited program, a criminal background check and/or continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Salary

In 2107, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the median pharmacy tech salary was $31,750. This means 50 percent made more than the median amount and 50 percent made less. The 10 percent with the best wages earned more than $46,980. The 10 percent who were paid the least received less than $22,000. Public and private hospitals offered the highest median salary of $36,710, while pharmacies and drugstores paid the least with a median amount of $29,500.

As of 2018,, the average entry level pharmacy tech wage was $29,915. Experienced pharmacy techs averaged $37,532. Late-career technicians made an average of $40,791.

Pharmacy Technology Job Outlook

The BlS projects a 12 percent growth in pharmacy technician jobs from 2016 to 2026. Although advances in technology may limit growth somewhat, demand for pharmacy techs will be driven by population increases. The numbers of older Americans who are more likely to have disabilities and chronic health problems will also increase. In addition, many pharmacies are relying more on pharmacy technicians to free up pharmacists to concentrate on complex tasks.