Average Salary for a Pharmacy Technician

Name: Andrew Christian, CPhT
Job Title: Certified Pharmacy Technician
Where: Washington D.C.
Employer: Target Pharmacy  
Years of Experience: 3
Education: Pharmacy Technician Certification Program, ACT College
Salary: Use PayScale's Research Center to find the Average Salary for a Pharmacy Technician.

Average Salary for a Pharmacy Technician

With rapid growth in the pharmacy industry, the job outlook for pharmacy technician professionals looks promising. In this Salary Story, Andrew Christian told us how he climbed the pharmacy technician career ladder to become a certified pharmacy technician (he blogs about his job at pharmcountry.net). He spoke about pharmacy technician duties, pharmacy technician programs, and how pharmacy technician jobs compare to pharmacist positions.

Andrew also discussed the factors that can affect a pharmacy technician's salary. For instance, he noted that certification usually leads to higher pharmacy technician salary. If you're wondering about the average salary for a pharmacy technician, or which job settings provide the highest pharmacy tech wages, this interview is the right medicine!

Pharmacy Tech Job Description:

As a pharmacy technician, I perform most, if not all, of the "technical" duties in the pharmacy. I answer the telephone, greet patients and gather all of their PHI, or "personal health information," which, among other things, includes their name, address, medical history and insurance. I type prescriptions into the computer, count and label prescriptions, and manage inventory.

During a typical day (though most days are anything but "typical"), I work on prescriptions that were called in overnight, take in the orders, assess inventory levels and order products for the next day. Of course, besides the official "technician duties," I am also expected to know where the patio furniture is, or know off the top of my head how much a particular item costs. (Just kidding…well, sort of.)

How did you climb the pharmacy technician career ladder?

How to Increase Your Salary as a Pharmacy Technician.
Education is the key to increasing your salary as a pharmacy technician. There are degrees and certifications that will increase your salary and make you a more valuable employee. In this economic downturn, education is a key strategy for a successful career as a Pharmacy Technician. Click here to Research Pharmacy Technician Degrees.

I started at Target as a cashier at the front end, where my primary duty was asking if you want a credit card. When one of the pharmacy technicians went on maternity leave, I was asked to help out at the pharmacy, which was my first exposure to what actually happens in a pharmacy. After a while, I decided that I wanted to be more than a cashier.

So, I applied for a pharmacy technician program at a local tech school. After a very intense seven months—spent memorizing drug names and indications, as well as learning how to compound creams and liquid medications—I earned my Pharmacy Technician Certification from the PTCB. Armed with my certification, as well as a state license, I applied to work in the pharmacy. But I don't plan to stop at the technician level. I'm currently working towards pharmacy school, where, after 6 total years of school, I will earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and become a pharmacist.

During the course of your pharmacy technician duties, do you recall any humorous moments?

I think my favorite funny moment in the pharmacy was when I rang a guy out for his Viagra and condoms, and the total came to $69.69. I thought, "How prophetic."

Then there are my favorite (not) people in the world: the druggies. They're the ones that know the difference between the various brands of generic Percocet, will pester you for their Vicodin refills two weeks early every time and always seem to have accidentally spilled their Xanax down the sink (which they only tell me after I call them on getting the refill too early.) Sometimes the stories are funny, sometimes they're a little scary, but they're always memorable.

What are the differences between a pharmacist and a certified pharmacy technician?

Essentially, the pharmacist is responsible for all of the "clinical" duties in a pharmacy, such as the Drug Utilization Review (making sure the prescription doesn't interact with another medication or condition the patient has), as well as doing the final check on a prescription before it is given to the patient. (This is where a lot of potential errors are caught.)

The pharmacist is also the only person allowed to take new prescriptions over the phone, though technicians are usually allowed to take refills. Pharmacists are also responsible for counseling patients regarding their medications or other questions the patient may have. Technicians, however, are not allowed to do anything that requires medical judgment.

What is the job oulook for pharmacy technician professionals?

The pharmacy technician profession is growing just as rapidly as the pharmacy industry. As pharmacists are taking on more and more responsibilities in managing patient therapy, technicians are being called upon to perform duties that were once in the sole domain of the pharmacist. State Boards of Pharmacy are beginning to realize that technicians need to be able to do more than just count pills, and are requiring a higher level of education and training.

If you're interested in becoming a certified pharmacy technician, my advice is simple: be prepared to think on your feet. The pharmacy is a very fast-paced environment where a simple mistake can cause serious injury or even death. Pay attention, don't rush, and you will be fine.

What factors can affect a pharmacy technician salary?

A pharmacy technician salary depends a lot on the setting in which you work. Also, certification generally gets you at least an extra dollar. Hospital technicians tend to make more, with the higher pharmacy tech wages going to those that know how to prepare IV medications and/or work with chemotherapy drugs. Basically, the more you know and the more you can do, the higher your pharmacy technician salary. But, I guess it's that way in any industry, come to think of it.

How does your salary compare to pharmacy tech wages? The PayScale Salary Calculator is a quick and easy way to compare positions. But when you want powerful salary data and comparisons customized for your exact position, be sure to build a complete profile by taking PayScale's full Salary Survey.

• More on the Job Outlook for Pharmacy Technician Professionals - the NPTA
• Average Salary for a Pharmacy Technician by Industry

Comments

[futurepharmtech]

I have not yet apply for pharmacy courses yet..But I find it interest how people who are working years getting so low paid!..is it the states that they work in or the people who paid us are just being "CHEAP"...I really look forward into being a pharmacist one day and having my own store..so I dont have to work for other and getting these "low paid"..Hopefully its different from where I live..

[lols pharmacy]

I just quit my job as a tech at a Walmart pharmacy (haven't seen that one mentioned yet). It was due to a few different factors but mostly it was the pay. I started with no experience at about $11 and change, learned 80% of what I know now in the first 3 months, became certified, and now 2 years later I ended at only $12 and change. I think that's also less than what some of the more "senior" people (who do less work) are paid. As someone just said, they do nickel and dime you. And if it weren't for that plus the fact that there is basically no room for growth, then I may have been moderately satisfied.
Also something else to keep in mind, I made less than $24,000 while my pharmacy manager makes over $124,000. "But the pharmacist does the more important job of counseling and DURs.." Anyone who has worked retail for a while will know that that doesn't mean much. But no matter, I'm applying to pharmacy schools now. Hopefully I'll be in their position in a few years.

[katie]

I work at the above mentioned pharmacy too.There are just 4 pharm tech's. one just became a lead tech when i joined the team.her pay increased because her position changed and also she became a certified pharm tech.
now i have become certified too, but i have not changed or got a change in my position because there can be just one lead tech in the pharmacy. so does it mean that the company will never increase my pay.
this is ridiculous.
this company gives extra bucks, 25-30 dollar giftcards to all the freebies for that transfer prescription stuff, than why does it not increase a dollar in the pay for those who help the run the pharmacy.why do they nickle and dime so much ablout the pay.
guys keep the inflation in mind.....we too are feeling the pinch of the prices going up.please help

[Jamie]

hey...i got a job as a pharmacy tech in a cvs.On my interview day i was told that since i have no experience and do not have a certification i will not be paid more than 8.50@hour.
i agreed to work becoz i kne wthat i will get my certification in the three months after working.
now its been 6 months since i started, i have already got my certification(ptcb certified),but cvs district manager is not going to increase my pay.
i feel hurt. what is the difference between a certified and a non certified tech. where am i different from the ones who are not certified.my question is why do pharmacist not speak up for us? like don't they try to be extra sweet to us in the pharmacy because we make their life easy at work? why they don't fight for us? is there an incentive to go get a certification if the pay never going to increase as a pharmacy technician.

[Lori]

I have worked as a pharmacy tech for the past 11 years for CVS. The pay is fairly terrible and I stay because I love what I do and I love my customers. From reading the previous posts it seems that working anywhere but CVS pays much better. I am most likely leaving now(due to a lack of salary increase after so many years) and going to work for a private pharmacy that specializes in Oncology. I live in New York(on Long Island) and this is barely a way to make a living. I imagine makiing $17 or a little more goes further elsewhere, but wont pay very many bills here. No matter what, this is a high stress job and the salary vs stress level is not equal. Not even close.

[Almostthere]

I've recently graduated from a one year pharmacy technician program ( I did it in two years while working part-time). I haven't started working yet, but I've done a couple hundred hours of outpatient, and inpatient interning at hospitals and a little bit at the retail setting. I have to say talking with other techs in the hospital I'm finding that they get paid a solid $2-$3/hour more than those at retail stores. The retail stores are paying $13-$15/hour. I think the salary is extremely low. Pharmacist's have a lot of pressure and responsibility from my viewpoint and deserve a high salary, but I think the tech salaries really need to go up. There's always talk that there's so many more drugs coming out and people having multiple prescriptions so consequently more work to process (more headache), so you would think more demand for techs and more pay. Except that there is just more demand for Pharmacists (and that's who really gets paid). I may not have years of experience in pharmacy cause I just graduated, but it doesn't mean I don't observe in the little time that I've interned. Perhaps wherever I work will be different. For now, all I've really got to say is if you already have a deep interest in pharmacy ( and you are really good in school) and you want to make a good salary in the San Francisco bay area become a pharmacist. Don't even consider being a technician.

[Compound Pharmacy]

I also think the averrage salary for pharmacy technician should be $10000 .I think it is a better amount for pharmacy technician. but its is not so...pharmacist are not being paid much........

http://www.greatearthpharmacy.com/

[ben]

In 1998 I spent $12,000 on a 2 year Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology. With this degree I was able to obtain a position as a Pharmacy technician earning about $10 an hour. Certification later became required by my employer.

I've since transferred my credits and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business, but my heart remains in Pharmacy. I've been a Hospital I.V. Technician for 10 years and I now earn about $17 an hour. I was recently offered a position within a different facility for $10 an hour. I declined the offer.

The pay range for Pharmacy Technicians is very wide, and depends more on the setting than your knowledge. If you can get into a hospital pharmacy, you'll probably start at a higher rate than a retail technician with years of experience. You'll need to learn your duties quickly and perform with tremendous accuracy, but you'll be in a clean office-type environment.

Rather than dealing with the public, you have to deal with nurses who demand that you drop whatever you're doing and deal with their situation instead. You'll get to work nights, weekends, and holidays too.

Still, at the end of the day you appreciate being part of the health care team. You know that the work you do is important and lives actually depend on your accuracy. Errors do slip through the checks, and error prevention is key.

[muhmmad najam malik]

i am a registered pharmacist in pakistan last ten years. i have both exerprinces of retial pharmacy and have been working as a production manager.so, i can comfortally work in both fields as a pharmacist.

[εξωσωματική γονιμοποίηση στην Ελλάδα]

Hi

I think the averrage salary for pharmacy technician is $10000 .I think it is a better amount for pharmacy technician.

[CYNTHIA]

WANT TO LAUGH....I HAVE NOT WORKED AS A PT FOR 3 YEARS. TOOK TIME OFF TO HAVE A BABY AND BE A HOUSE WIFE. THE GOVERNMENT IS AUDITING SINCE I DID NOT DO MY 2006 TAXES. THEY SAID THAT I SHOULD HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF EARNING OVER $90K AND ARE TRYING TO LEVY A $10K TAX FINE TO ME. HAHA.

[walgreens is the best]

i have been working for walgreens for 2 going on 3 years now and in that time have became a senior pharmacy techician (which walgreens will train and pay for your cpht test and pay you more when you get certified) as a senior pharmacy tech, i make about 38,000 a year with 2 weeks paid vacation and like 5 personal days a year, i make 19.05 and it is awesome being 22 and all. apply online if there isnt a store available and dont mind traveling you get can become a traveling tech. and go to different store. but one thing you must have the best customer service. it is rewarding though, if you get caught by a secret shopper giving great customer service you can win a car! someone in my store alreadu won one.!!!

[chris]

hey mike, just browsing this site and wondered if you ever got a reply on your prospective target salary...ive been with cvs and now walgreens, but hate the drive thru. so im in search of pharmacy heaven without one!! any advice?

[Mike]

Hi, i was wodering how much does a pharmacy tech get paid in a TARGET PHARMACY. Im planning on applying. and im almost done with my pharmacy tech program. i would apprieciate it if you can repy thank you.

[ijazjatt]

sir,iam a pakistani pharmacist and working as a retaaaaaaail pharmaacist from last two yrs in the retail set up now i want to working in kuwait fullfill my deficiencies in my profession to become complete and efficient pharmacist. please send me the detail procedureand information .i shall be very thankfull to u for this favour.ok thanks

[Stella is not my real name. = )]

I've been a tech since the early 80's. I live in the midwest. I've worked every angle of pharmacy tech jobs, including retail, hospital pharmacy, oncology pharmacy, clinical research organizations and pharmaceutical defense litigations. Not once did I ever make over $14 per hour - not in 24 years. I am currently teaching students in pursuit of successfully earning PTCB certification, and I'm finally earning over $30K. Please realize that while being a pharmacy technician is an important and well-regarded job, it is most certainly not going to make you wealthy. I do agree that as pharmacists take on more clinical roles, the tech's role becomes more robust. I forsee only increases in monetary and social reward for the technician; however, be very careful about the money you decide to invest in this career. If you sink $30K into a tech school for a job at which you will not make more than $30K, annually, you may well regret it if you were hoping for more. It's an important job, and it's a well-regarded job, but like me, you may wish for more. This is why I decided to work toward applying for pharmacy school. Being a technician is a great springboard for becoming a pharmacist. I highly recommend the investment if it leads to pharmacy school. The greenest pharmacist will normally earn at least $80K per year. Just promise me you won't enroll in my class unless you're a serious student. We see too many students trying to get through the program with minimal effort. Being a good technician requires meticulous attention to detail, an inclination towards excellence, and you can't be afraid of math. It's all about math. And you can't be lazy with someone's PHI (private health information). You should be able to show your customers respect without looking for it in return. It's a service career, not a beauty pageant.

[Muhamad Fayyaz]

send e inforation about job as pharmacist in kuwait i am a pakistani pharmacisct now wish to join hospital pharmacy in kuwait plz send me the detail procedure.

[bjk]

seems like a pharmacy tech should get higher wages - giving people the right meds is a serious job