If you are interested in becoming a pharmacy technician, you’re choosing a career that is in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034.* Pharmacy technician pay varies by setting, location, and experience and has risen in recent years.
The pharmacy technician salary depends on a number of factors, from the area and type of employer, to your educational background. Browse pharmacy tech pay for a comparison between similar careers, geographic location, educational and certification requirements, and more.
| 2024 National Median Salary ** | |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Tech | $43,460 |
2024 Pharmacy Technician Salary By Location Type
| Location / Type of Facility | Salary |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | $49,310 |
| Pharmacies and drug retailers | $37,900 |
| Grocery and specialty food retailers | $38,810 |
Factors Determining Pharmacy Tech Pay
As with most professions, there are several different factors that can go in to determining the salary that a profession will pay.
| Education and Training | The successful completion of a pharmacy technician program is key to helping you find employment and giving you negotiating power in terms of salary. Most employers will offer on the job training to any new hire, but an experienced, trained pharmacy tech will typically be offered a higher starting pay than someone with little or no training. |
|---|---|
| Industry | The industry that you work in plays a significant role in the salary you can expect to earn. Many pharmacy techs work for retailers and hospitals, but pay can differ by setting. Here’s how several large employer groups pay (annual mean or median as noted):
|
| Certification and Licensure | While not all employers will require their pharmacy techs to be certified, many will, and being able to present that certification to a prospective employer may make it possible to ask for a higher starting salary. Some employers will even pay for the certification exam. The primary organizations that offer certification for PhT’s are the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Most states require licensure, and that information can be find on your state’s Board of Health or Pharmacy website. |
Pharmacy Tech Salary Comparisons
Table #2 compares average annual salaries between a pharmacy tech and other similar careers.
| Low | Median | High | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Tech** | $35,100 | $43,460 | $59,450 |
| Medical Assistants⋅ | $35,020 | $44,200 | $57,830 |
| Med Bill/Coding∞ | $35,780 | $50,250 | $80,950 |
| Med Transcrip∼ | $26,370 | $37,550 | $53,890 |
| Cardio Tech∴ | $36,620 | $66,170 | $105,140 |
Geographic Location
As you can see in the table below, the state you work in can directly affect how much you earn each year. According to the BLS, the top paying locations for pharmacy techs currently include California, Washington, the District of Columbia, Oregon, and Alaska. Here’s how the top five states compare (annual mean):
| California | $55,710 |
| Washington | $55,390 |
| District of Columbia | $54,030 |
| Oregon | $50,440 |
| Alaska | $49,810 |
Experience
As with most jobs, more experience often translates into higher pay. A pharmacy tech recently out of school or a training program will typically start near the lower end of the range. Demonstrating a positive work ethic, a willingness to learn, and a hard-working attitude can help you increase your salary more quickly. Experience may also lead to supervisory roles, especially in larger pharmacies—often with higher compensation.
Salary and Employment References Include::
- * Job Growth & 2024 Industry Medians Provided by:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm
- ** Pharmacy Technician Salary (national median & percentiles) & State/Industry Means Provided by:
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes292052.htm
- Medical Assistants Salary (median & percentiles):
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
- Medical Records Specialists (Medical Billing/Coding) Salary (median & percentiles):
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
- Medical Transcriptionists Salary (median & percentiles):
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-transcriptionists.htm
- Cardiovascular Technologists & Technicians Salary (percentiles):
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes292031.htm
