Pharmacy Technician Salary Guide

The pharmacy technician salary is fairly competitive compared to many other industries. When compared to the amount of training that interested applicants must pursue for a career in this field, the average salaries are very attractive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has collected data on this industry, and according to their data, pharmacy technicians in 2008 earned a median hourly rate of $13.32 with most technicians earning the following hourly wages:

• Middle range of $10.95 to $15.88
• Lowest ten percent less than $9.27
• Highest ten percent more than $18.98

Training to Become a Pharmacy Technician

In order to earn these wages, an individual must receive the right training. There are no formal requirements that an individual must meet in order to become a pharmacy technician. However, some states mandate that individuals that pursue this career must have a high school diploma or a GED (General Equivalency Degree).

Some applicants get their training by completing a pharmacy technician program. These are available from some community colleges, vocational schools, or even hospitals. Some applicants receive their training while they are in the military. Formal training for this profession can range from six months to two years. Those who study for less than six months will normally be awarded a certificate while those who study for two years will earn an associates degree in this subject. These programs typically offer courses in the following subject areas:

• Pharmacy Terminology
• Pharmacy Calculations
• How to Keep Pharmacy Records
• Medical Laws and Ethics

Some people are able to pursue a job as a technician without attending formal schooling. They receive on the job training. This training is offered by many employers. However, most employers prefer that their applicants start their job with some formal training in their background. If they get on the job training, it may take from three to twelve months. During this time period, they will learn many things about the subjects that students study when they study for a certificate or a degree in this field. They will also learn the names of specific drugs, how they work, and the various doses that are associated with them.

Other Career Options

People who are not willing to complete the training needed to become a pharmacy technician may opt to become a pharmacy aide. The average pharmacy technician salary is slightly higher than the salary for a pharmacy aide. However, there are no education requirements for most aides, and their salaries are not that much lower than the median pharmacy technician salary.

Before applying for a pharmacy aide job, applicants should ideally have a few skills. They should have experience running a cash register, they should be able to positively interact with customers, and they should know how to manage inventory and possibly how to use a computer. They may also receive on the job training, but it will only last between three weeks and three months.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also collects salary data on pharmacy aides. According to the BLS, in 2008, the median hourly wage for these professionals was $9.66. The middle fifty percent of people who held these jobs earned between $8.50 and $11.50. The lowest wage earners made just over minimum wage, and the top wage earners made over $14.25 per hour.

Factors that Affect a Pharmacy Technician Salary

There are many factors that affect the wages of the average pharmacy technician. The area where they live will affect their wages. For instance, people who live in urban areas with a higher cost of living will often receive higher wages than those who live in sparsely populated rural areas. Their experience will also have an impact on their wages. Generally, applicants with more experience are able to earn higher wages. In addition, certified technicians will usually earn more money than non-certified technicians. Some technicians are able to earn higher wages by belonging to a union. Many grocery store pharmacy workers belong to unions that push for higher hourly wages.

If an individual is able to advance in this field, they will also increase their hourly salary. However, it can be difficult to advance under certain employers. Employers who have small staffs will not be able to offer the advancement opportunities of larger companies. However, people in this profession can take their skills and move to other employers for additional advancement opportunities. At a larger facility, they may have the opportunity to advance to a supervisory or managerial role. At a hospital, they may be able to transfer into a specialty position like a chemotherapy pharmacy technician or a nuclear pharmacy technician. Positions like these pay considerably higher wages than being a standard technician. Others may move on to sales. If a technician or aide wishes to become a pharmacist, they may do so by enrolling in school and receiving more advanced training.

Bottom Line

The Pharmacy Technician Salary is only one of the positive aspects of this job. People in this industry earn between $20,000 and $35,000 per year, and they can advance in their industry and make even more money. This industry is slated to grow by almost a third during this decade so applicants can be confident about their prospects when searching for a job in this field.