State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Pharmacy Technicians earn a median of $45,750 per year ($22.00/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 6.4% through 2034, with about 49,000 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
SOC 29-2052Healthcare Practitioners and TechnicalLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $45,750
- Projected growth
- +6.4%
- Openings a year
- 49,000
- Typical education
- High school
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Accredited Pharmacy Technician, Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), Chemotherapy Pharmacy Technician (Chemo Pharmacy Technician), Compounding Technician, OR Pharmacy Tech (Operating Room Pharmacy Tech), RPhT (Registered Pharmacy Technician).
How much do Pharmacy Technicians make?
10th percentile$36,020
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$37,850
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$45,750
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$49,990
Upper quartile
90th percentile$61,040
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $45,750 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $22.00/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $46,620 |
| People employed | 471,680 |
Versus all US occupations
At $45,750, Pharmacy Technicians earn 10% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $5,230 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $97,870, this is 53% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $61,040 or more while the bottom 10% earn $36,020, a gap of 1.7×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 18% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Washington pays the most at $58,900, and still leads at $55,040 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Pharmacy Technicians the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $58,900 | $55,040 | 8,150 |
| California | $55,110 | $49,774 | 39,860 |
| Oregon | $54,900 | $53,115 | 4,320 |
| Alaska | $52,640 | $51,427 | 800 |
| Colorado | $49,970 | $48,490 | 6,010 |
| Montana | $49,400 | $52,195 | 1,340 |
| Minnesota | $48,300 | $48,975 | 7,340 |
| Wyoming | $48,260 | $52,065 | 600 |
| Utah | $48,140 | $48,693 | 5,030 |
| Nevada | $47,980 | $47,990 | 4,070 |
Is Pharmacy Technician a growing career?
Pharmacy Technicians6.4%
All US occupations3.1%
+6.4% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Pharmacy Technicians to change 6.4% over 2024–2034, roughly 2.1× the 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 31,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 49,000 openings are projected each year, 10.0% of the 490,400 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for pharmacy services is expected to increase because of the large number of older people, who typically use more prescription medicines than younger people. The growing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, in the general population also will lead to increased demand for prescription medications.
In addition, pharmacy technicians will be needed to take on a greater role in pharmacy operations because pharmacists are increasingly performing more patient care activities. Technicians will need to perform tasks, such as collecting patient information, handling prescription transfers, and verifying the work of other technicians, that were previously done by pharmacists.
How to become a Pharmacy Technician
There is no national license, and regulation differs sharply by state. Most states require pharmacy technicians to register with or be licensed by the state board of pharmacy, some also require national certification, and a few require neither. The entry education is usually a high school diploma plus on-the-job training or a postsecondary pharmacy technology program. The most widely used national credential is the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), earned by passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE); it is voluntary in many states but required in some and by many employers.
The credential path, step by step
- Check your state board of pharmacy's rules
The requirements fork here: registration only, registration plus national certification, or nothing at all. PTCB publishes a state regulations table, and NABP maintains the directory of state boards, but the board itself is the authority.
- Earn a high school diploma or equivalent
This is the usual minimum to enter the occupation and is a stated requirement in states that regulate technicians.
- Complete a recognized training program, or accumulate qualifying work experience1 year or less for most programs
PTCB's Pathway 1 is completion of a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program; a pharmacy degree is accepted in its place. Pathway 2 is a minimum of 500 hours of equivalent pharmacy technician work experience, intended for experienced technicians who could not attend a recognized program.
- Pass the PTCE to earn the CPhT credential
Apply through a PTCB account, disclose any criminal or state board actions, and take the 90-question exam at a Pearson test center. The passing scaled score is 1,400.
- Register or license with your state board
Where the state requires it, complete registration or licensure with the board of pharmacy, including any fees, background check and minimum age requirement.
- Recertify every two years
PTCB requires CPhT recertification every two years with continuing education, plus a recertification application fee.
Exams you have to pass
Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
Computer-based exam of 90 multiple-choice questions (80 scored, 10 unscored), taken at a Pearson test center. The passing scaled score is 1,400 on a 1,000 to 1,600 range. Passing it, together with the eligibility and disclosure requirements, earns the CPhT credential. The application and exam fee is $129.
Administered by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
- Program accreditation
PTAC · Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission (ASHP/ACPE)
Accreditation of technician education and training programs is not a universal licensure gate. PTAC, a joint ASHP and ACPE commission, sets the ASHP/ACPE Accreditation Standards for Pharmacy Technician Education and Training Programs. Separately, PTCB requires candidates on its education pathway to complete a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program, which is PTCB's own recognition list.
- How long the training takes
1 year or less
On-the-job training periods vary but typically last less than 1 year. Many postsecondary pharmacy technology programs award a certificate in 1 year or less; some longer programs lead to an associate's degree.
- Continuing education
Required to stay credentialed
PTCB requires CPhT recertification every two years, which means completing continuing education; PTCB's CE directory lists ACPE-accredited programs. States that regulate technicians may set their own continuing education requirements for registration or license renewal, and these are not necessarily satisfied by the CE completed for PTCB recertification.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
Regulation differs sharply and is the thing to check first. Most states require technicians to register with or be licensed by the state board of pharmacy, but Delaware and Hawaii require neither registration nor national certification. Some states require national certification on top of registration, among them Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Louisiana. States that do regulate technicians may impose some or all of: a high school diploma or equivalent, a formal education or training program, an exam, fees, continuing education, a criminal background check and a minimum age. States also differ in whether they recognize a technician representative role. The legal scope of practice for a CPhT is defined by the individual state board of pharmacy, not by PTCB.
Who governs the credential
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) — Awards the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential and administers the PTCE. The CPhT program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), and PTCB certification is accepted by regulatory bodies and employers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.
- Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission (PTAC) — A collaboration between ACPE and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) that sets and applies accreditation standards for pharmacy technician education and training programs.
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) — Maintains the directory of state boards of pharmacy, which set technician registration, licensure and training rules.
Credential detail for pharmacy technicians is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Pharmacy Technicians · checked August 23, 2026
- PTCB: Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) · checked August 23, 2026
- PTCB: State Regulations and Map · checked August 23, 2026
- PTCB: Renewal Requirements · checked August 23, 2026
- ACPE: Pharmacy Technician Education Accreditation Collaboration (PTAC) · checked August 23, 2026
- NABP: Boards of Pharmacy directory · checked August 23, 2026
- CareerOneStop: Find Licenses (state licensing board requirements) · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Pharmacy technicians typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and learn their duties through on-the-job training, or they may complete a postsecondary education program in pharmacy technology. Most states regulate pharmacy technicians, which is a process that may require passing an exam or completing a formal education or training program.
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as pharmacy technicians.
- Post-Secondary Certificate42.0%
- High School Diploma35.7%
- Some College Courses14.6%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)3.8%
- Bachelor's Degree3.8%
What does a Pharmacy Technician do?
Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense medications, manage inventory, and provide customer service in various healthcare settings.
Day-to-day tasks
- Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests.
- Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
- Receive and store incoming supplies, verify quantities against invoices, check for outdated medications in current inventory, and inform supervisors of stock needs and shortages.
- Establish or maintain patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual patients.
- Clean and help maintain equipment or work areas and sterilize glassware, according to prescribed methods.
- Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.
- Receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate.
- Order, label, and count stock of medications, chemicals, or supplies and enter inventory data into computer.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most pharmacy technicians work full time, but part-time work is common. Pharmacies may be open at all hours. Therefore, pharmacy technicians may have to work nights or weekends.
Where the work happens
- Indoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day
Physical demands
- On their feet more than half the working day
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
Pressure and stakes
- Meeting strict deadlines at least weekly
- Handling conflict situations at least monthly
- Mistakes carry very serious consequences
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where pharmacy technicians work
| Pharmacies and drug retailers | 52% |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 17% |
| General merchandise retailers | 9% |
| Grocery and specialty food retailers | 9% |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 4% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Speaking3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
Transferable skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Persuasion2.5/5
- Management of Personnel Resources2.5/5
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Internet browser software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Billing and invoicing software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Inventory management software
- Label making software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Pharmacy Technician?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary4.2
Investigative3.0
Artistic1.0
Socialprimary3.3
Enterprising2.5
Conventionalprimary7.0
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Pharmacy Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Pharmacy Technicians make?
Pharmacy Technicians earn a median of $45,750 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 10% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $22.00/hr. The middle half earn between $37,850 and $49,990. The top 10% earn $61,040 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Pharmacy Technician?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Pharmacy Technicians. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 42.0% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Pharmacy Technician a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 6.4% over 2024–2034, more than double the 3.1% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 49,000 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Pharmacy Technician do?
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense medications, manage inventory, and provide customer service in various healthcare settings. A core O*NET task: answer telephones, responding to questions or requests. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Internet browser software, Medical software.
Which states pay Pharmacy Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Pharmacy Technicians are Washington ($58,900), California ($55,110), Oregon ($54,900) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Pharmacy Technician?
O*NET scores Pharmacy Technicians highest on the Conventional, Realistic and Social interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become a Pharmacy Technician?
1 year or less. On-the-job training periods vary but typically last less than 1 year. Many postsecondary pharmacy technology programs award a certificate in 1 year or less; some longer programs lead to an associate's degree.
Do you need a license to work as a Pharmacy Technician?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. Regulation differs sharply and is the thing to check first. Most states require technicians to register with or be licensed by the state board of pharmacy, but Delaware and Hawaii require neither registration nor national certification. Some states require national certification on top of registration, among them Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Louisiana. States that do regulate technicians may impose some or all of: a high school diploma or equivalent, a formal education or training program, an exam, fees, continuing education, a criminal background check and a minimum age. States also differ in whether they recognize a technician representative role. The legal scope of practice for a CPhT is defined by the individual state board of pharmacy, not by PTCB.
What exams do you have to pass to become a Pharmacy Technician?
The PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam). Computer-based exam of 90 multiple-choice questions (80 scored, 10 unscored), taken at a Pearson test center. The passing scaled score is 1,400 on a 1,000 to 1,600 range. Passing it, together with the eligibility and disclosure requirements, earns the CPhT credential. The application and exam fee is $129.