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Pharmacy Technicians


At a Glance

  • Review prescriptions or requests for refills
  • Duties vary by state
  • Work with pharmacists
  • May work part time or full time
  • Most train on the job
  • May need a license

Career summary

Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists provide medicines and other health care products to patients.

Pharmacy technicians receive prescriptions and requests for refills from customers and health professionals. They get the information required to fill the prescription.

They count tablets and measure medication needed to fill the prescription. Sometimes they compound or mix medications. They package and label prescriptions. The prescription is checked by a pharmacist before it is given to a customer.

When customers pick up a prescription, technicians accept payment and make sure insurance information is complete.

Pharmacy technicians may have other tasks, such as:

In hospitals, technicians read patient charts, and prepare and deliver medicine to patients. Technicians may also put together a 24-hour supply of medicine for patients. They package and label each dose separately. They make up intravenous (IV) packs for patients. A pharmacist must check medications before they are delivered.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Military careers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to pharmacy technicians.

Common work activities

Pharmacy technicians perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, pharmacy technicians:

Interpersonal relationships

Physical work conditions

Work performance

Hours/travel

Physical demands

Pharmacy technicians frequently:

It is important for pharmacy technicians to be able to:

It is not as important, but still necessary, for pharmacy technicians to be able to:

Skills and abilities

Pharmacy technicians need to:

Communicate

Reason and problem solve

Use math and science

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Work with people

Perceive and visualize

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Training

To work as a pharmacy technician, you typically need to:

Education after high school

Some pharmacy technicians complete a formal training program. Pharmacy technician programs last one to two years. Two-year programs grant an associate degree. One-year programs grant a certificate. During training you study medical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, and pharmacy recordkeeping. You also learn medication names, doses, and uses.

On-the-job training

Many pharmacy technicians learn their skills on the job from an experienced pharmacy technician. You may receive training for up to 12 months. During training, you learn:

Many training programs offer internships where you get hands-on experience working in a pharmacy. Interns work under the supervision of experienced technicians or pharmacists.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be pharmacy technicians. Training lasts from 12 to 17 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate. Pharmacy technicians need a strong background in Chemistry. If possible, take one or more Chemistry courses.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

There are no national and few state requirements for training pharmacy technicians. However, employers often prefer applicants who have completed formal training. Many employers have neither the time nor money to train their own technicians.

Applicants without formal training but with experience working as a pharmacy assistant in a drug store have an advantage. Some employers prefer one to two years of work experience. Experience managing supplies or counting and measuring drugs is also preferred. Any experience using computers is helpful. Employers also prefer applicants who get along well with people and know how to serve customers. Applicants should have an eye for detail and enjoy teamwork.

Becoming a certified pharmacy technician might also help in the hiring process. Employers know that technicians who pass the exam have knowledge and skills.

Some employers require a keyboarding test.

Costs to workers

Pharmacy technicians must buy comfortable walking shoes. Some must purchase their own lab coats. Many join professional associations.

Licensing/certification

Pharmacy technicians must be certified by the Washington State Board of Pharmacy. To be certified, technicians must:

The state certification fee for a pharmacy technician is $70 and the renewal fee is $70 annually. Technicians must complete ten hours of continuing education, including at least one hour of pharmacy law, every year to renew their certification.

Pharmacy technicians who have contact with patients or the general public must wear badges that identify them as technicians.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Board of Pharmacy (external link)

PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504
360.236.4700

#Made minor update to licensing info; no fee changes, 4/16/13 cj. Updated url, no change to fees lh 3/20/14. Added info on new CE requirements; rest of info ok, 3/17/15 cj. Licensing section ok 12/14/16 cj. Updated fees as have increased, 4/5/19 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link).

Wages

Pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052)

Location
Pay Period
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
Washington Hourly $15.48 $17.34 $20.38 $23.39 $26.59
Monthly $2,683 $3,005 $3,532 $4,053 $4,608
Yearly $32,200 $36,070 $42,390 $48,660 $55,300
    Bellingham Hourly $15.10 $17.20 $20.24 $23.44 $26.32
Monthly $2,617 $2,981 $3,508 $4,062 $4,561
Yearly $31,402 $35,787 $42,097 $48,756 $54,740
    Bremerton-Silverdale Hourly $17.44 $19.65 $21.74 $24.08 $27.53
Monthly $3,022 $3,405 $3,768 $4,173 $4,771
Yearly $36,272 $40,871 $45,214 $50,097 $57,271
    Clarkston-Lewiston Hourly $11.52 $12.05 $14.22 $18.61 $22.54
Monthly $1,996 $2,088 $2,464 $3,225 $3,906
Yearly $23,950 $25,056 $29,581 $38,701 $46,876
    Kennewick-Richland Hourly $16.91 $19.34 $21.35 $23.45 $24.72
Monthly $2,931 $3,352 $3,700 $4,064 $4,284
Yearly $35,161 $40,225 $44,406 $48,774 $51,415
    Longview Hourly $14.54 $16.96 $20.19 $22.81 $24.39
Monthly $2,520 $2,939 $3,499 $3,953 $4,227
Yearly $30,234 $35,272 $41,978 $47,450 $50,733
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes Hourly $18.22 $20.24 $22.05 $23.86 $25.35
Monthly $3,158 $3,508 $3,821 $4,135 $4,393
Yearly $37,905 $42,087 $45,851 $49,615 $52,733
    Olympia-Tumwater Hourly $15.78 $17.20 $19.55 $24.04 $28.66
Monthly $2,735 $2,981 $3,388 $4,166 $4,967
Yearly $32,823 $35,785 $40,678 $50,000 $59,623
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Hourly $15.94 $17.89 $21.18 $24.39 $28.11
Monthly $2,762 $3,100 $3,670 $4,227 $4,871
Yearly $33,164 $37,211 $44,054 $50,726 $58,477
    Spokane-Spokane Valley Hourly $15.82 $17.09 $19.21 $22.54 $24.81
Monthly $2,742 $2,962 $3,329 $3,906 $4,300
Yearly $32,906 $35,559 $39,964 $46,864 $51,614
    Vancouver Hourly $15.60 $17.38 $20.34 $23.20 $25.05
Monthly $2,703 $3,012 $3,525 $4,021 $4,341
Yearly $32,433 $36,139 $42,303 $48,247 $52,094
    Walla Walla Hourly $15.78 $17.70 $20.63 $22.52 $23.89
Monthly $2,735 $3,067 $3,575 $3,903 $4,140
Yearly $32,831 $36,825 $42,920 $46,830 $49,695
    Wenatchee Hourly $15.87 $19.02 $21.52 $23.72 $25.28
Monthly $2,750 $3,296 $3,729 $4,111 $4,381
Yearly $33,022 $39,552 $44,761 $49,326 $52,583
    Yakima Hourly $13.75 $17.05 $20.23 $22.64 $24.10
Monthly $2,383 $2,955 $3,506 $3,924 $4,177
Yearly $28,595 $35,464 $42,074 $47,088 $50,135
United States Hourly $10.93 $12.86 $15.72 $18.89 $23.08
Monthly $1,894 $2,229 $2,724 $3,274 $4,000
Yearly $22,740 $26,750 $32,700 $39,290 $48,010

Wages vary by shift, employer, and the technician's level of training. Technicians may receive higher wages for working evenings or weekends. Certified technicians may earn more.

Full-time pharmacy technicians usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Those who work part time may not receive benefits.

Employment and outlook

State Outlook

In Washington, job openings occur as pharmaceutical services in hospitals or other health care facilities strive to meet more needs. Fewer pharmacists in the workforce have shifted more job duties to pharmacy technicians. In Washington, state law allows one pharmacist to oversee up to three technicians. Technicians are also needed to oversee automated prescription machines. This will help to increase the number of jobs for technicians and assistants. The growth of pharmacy outlets in grocery and general merchandise stores may create opportunities for technicians and assistants. Some openings are created by employee turnover.

#Ratio of pharmacist to techs still the same 12/14/16, 4/5/19 cj.

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Pharmacy Technicians (SOC 29-2052)

Location Current employment Growth over 10 years Annual openings
This
occupation
All
occupations
Washington 7,080 8.9% 16.1% 693
    Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties 244 8.6% 13.4% 23
    Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties 186 3.2% 8.6% 15
    Benton and Franklin Counties 190 6.3% 15.0% 17
    Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties 229 10.5% 11.9% 23
    Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties 720 9.3% 15.2% 71
    Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties 435 8.0% 14.1% 41
    Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties 363 8.3% 14.6% 34
    King County 2,199 10.0% 19.6% 221
    Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties 359 8.4% 13.8% 35
    Pierce County 972 11.6% 15.2% 102
    Snohomish County 614 4.6% 12.4% 53
    Spokane County 563 9.9% 13.9% 57
United States 420,400 7.5% 5.2% 38,300

National employment

About half of all pharmacy technicians work in retail drug stores.

Major employers:

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be strong. As the population ages, more people will need medications. New medications are always being developed and more will become available. Also, new federal health care laws mean that more people will be covered by health insurance and be able to seek medical treatment.

Demand for pharmacy technicians also grows as pharmacy technicians do more tasks formally done by pharmacists.

Job prospects will be best for those with experience, formal training, and certifications.

Other resources

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (external link)
1400 Crystal Dr, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22202
703.739.2330
American Association of Pharmacy Technicians (external link)
PO Box 391043
Omaha, NE 68139
336.333.9356
336.333.9356
American Pharmacists Association (external link)
2215 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20037
800.237.2742
202.628.4410
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (external link)
Explore Health Careers: Pharmacy Technician (external link)
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (external link)
2215 Constitution Avenue NW, Suite 101
Washington, DC 20037
Washington State Pharmacy Association (external link)
411 Williams Avenue South
Renton, WA 98057
425.228.7171

References

Career cluster

Career path

O*Net (external link) occupation

O*Net job zone (external link)

DOT occupation

Holland occupational cluster

COPSystem