Starting towards a career as a pharmacy technician (pharmacy tech) comes with a lot of questions, particularly around salary. How much can you make? What influences your earning potential?
If you’re aiming to begin this rewarding career, this guide will provide detailed insights on a typical pharmacy tech salary, the factors that affect this salary, and, most importantly, how you can stand out as an entry-level technician and command a higher wage.
Here, we’ll cover:
- The average salary for pharmacy technicians
- Factors that affect your salary
- Ways to stand out and boost your earning potential
- Additional resources for starting your pharmacy tech career
Let’s dive in.
Pharmacy Tech Salary Overview
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in the United States is approximately $42,260 per year, or around $19.35 per hour. This is a median wage, meaning that half of the workers in this occupation earn more and half earn less. However, the top 10% of pharmacy techs can earn upwards of $50,000 per year.
Entry-Level Salary
For entry-level pharmacy technicians, the starting salary typically ranges between $30,000 and $35,000 annually. As with many careers, salary tends to increase with experience. If you’re new to the field, you might start at the lower end of this range, but there’s significant room for growth as you gain skills and expertise.
Experienced Pharmacy Tech Salary
Pharmacy technicians with more experience can expect higher wages. For instance, those with around 10 years of experience can earn over $52,000 annually, according to Indeed.com. Staying in the profession and developing your expertise can lead to substantial salary increases over time.
Top Paying Industries for Pharmacy Techs
Pharmacy Technicians work in various healthcare settings, like retail pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory healthcare services, and so on.
As per BLS, here is the industry-wise average annual salary data for pharmacy techs:
- Ambulatory healthcare services – $48,270
- Hospitals; state, local, and private – $47,940
- General merchandise retailers – $44,500
- Grocery and specialty food retailers – $37,420
- Pharmacies and drug retailers – $37,370
Highest Paying Cities for Pharmacy Techs
The earning potential for Pharmacy Techs varies significantly across the states. Here are the top 5 highest-paying states:
- California – $ 55,710
- Washington – $ 55,390
- District of Columbia – $ 54,030
- Oregon – $ 50,440
- Alaska – $ 49,810
Factors That Affect Pharmacy Tech Salary
Several factors can influence how much you can earn as a pharmacy technician. Here are the top three:
1. Experience
Experience is a significant factor in determining salary. Just as in most professions, the more years you spend working as a pharmacy tech, the more you can expect to make. As noted earlier, entry-level technicians may start at around $30,000 to $35,000 per year, but experienced pharmacy techs with a decade or more in the field can make upwards of $50,000 or even $52,000. The longer you stay in the profession, the better your earning potential becomes.
2. Where You Live
Your geographical location plays a major role in how much you can make. Pharmacy technician salaries vary significantly from state to state and even city to city. For example, the median annual wage for pharmacy techs in California is $52,900, while in Alabama, it’s $34,712. Why the difference?
The cost of living and demand for pharmacy technicians in a given area heavily influence salaries. While you might make more money in high-paying states like California, consider the higher cost of living there. It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of relocating based on salary alone.
3. Type of Healthcare Setting
Pharmacy techs work in various settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, grocery stores, and national pharmacy chains. Where you work can also impact your salary.
For example:
- Hospital settings typically pay more, with a median wage of around $46,490 per year. However, the workload in hospital pharmacies can be more demanding compared to retail settings.
- National pharmacy chains like Walgreens or CVS tend to offer lower salaries, with a median wage of approximately $37,680 annually.
When deciding where you want to work, consider not just the salary but also factors such as workload, shift availability, and career growth opportunities.
How to Stand Out as an Entry-Level Pharmacy Tech
If you’re just starting, you might wonder how you can stand out from the competition and command a higher starting salary. Here are some key tips:
1. Obtain a Pharmacy Tech Training University Certificate
In healthcare, education and credentials matter. Having a pharmacy tech certificate can set you apart from other candidates. A certificate from a reputable institution builds trust with employers, showing that you’ve received quality education and training.
2. Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Many employers prefer or even require pharmacy technicians to be certified. By obtaining the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), you instantly make yourself a more attractive candidate.
Pharmacy Technician certification demonstrates your commitment to the field and proves that you meet national standards. More and more facilities encourage their pharmacy technicians to get certified, so if you want to boost your salary and job prospects, becoming a certified pharmacy tech is a smart move.
3. Gain Hands-On Experience Through an Externship Opportunity
Real-world experience is invaluable when you’re just starting towards your career. One of the best ways to gain hands-on experience is by completing an externship. Whether it’s through your pharmacy tech training program or by volunteering, having some practical experience in a pharmacy setting makes you more competitive in the job market.
Externship opportunities provide you with insight into daily tasks and help build confidence. Plus, they’re a great way to make connections with potential employers.
You May Also Like:
– Self-Study for CPhT Certification
– Online Pharmacy Technician Course – See This Before Enrolling
– Pharmacy Tech Degree – Do You Need It?
How To Increase Your Salary?
If you’re working as a pharmacy technician or planning to start your career, you should understand that entry-level salaries may start modestly.
The good news is that there are clear steps you can take to increase your earning potential.
But why would Employers be willing to pay more?
Let’s discuss why, and the four proven ways to boost your salary:
#1 Get Formal Training
One of the first steps to increasing your salary is getting the right training. A well-trained pharmacy technician is more confident, efficient, and knowledgeable, qualities that make them more valuable to employers.
Formal training gives you technical knowledge, understanding of regulations and safety procedures, and familiarity with pharmacy software.
Now, how does this impact your salary? Well, Pharmacy techs with formal training are considered better prepared for the job, reducing the time employers need to train them.
As a result, employers are willing to pay higher salaries to trained professionals who can start working efficiently from day one.
Now, thinking of formal training, you might assume that a degree could be the best option. No, a degree is not required.
In fact, traditional programs like associate degrees, in-person certificate courses, and diploma programs come with several drawbacks.
Degree programs are expensive, often costing thousands of dollars, and can take up to two years to complete. In-person certificate and diploma programs, while shorter, still require attending classes on a fixed schedule, which can be difficult for adults with jobs or family responsibilities.
So, a better alternative is always an online pharmacy tech training. You can learn from the comfort of your home at your own schedule, all while still receiving a quality education and getting a university certificate.
Plus, these programs are also more affordable and faster, so you could become job-ready in just a few months.
A standout option in this category is Preppy’s Self-Paced Pharmacy Tech Training Program.
We’ll discuss that later.
#2 Get Certified
One of the fastest ways to increase your salary as a pharmacy technician is to earn your Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential. This certification, provided by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), is highly valued by employers.
A certification proves your competence in handling prescriptions, safety procedures, and pharmacy laws. Certified techs are often preferred for hospital and specialty pharmacy jobs, which offer higher salaries than retail pharmacy positions.
So, if you want to stand out and increase your earning potential, getting certified is one of the best steps you can take.
#3 Gain Experience
Just like in any career, experience matters. The more experience you gain, the more valuable you become to employers. They prefer experienced techs because they work more efficiently and require less supervision.
How can you gain experience? Complete an externship. This gives you real-world experience working in a pharmacy. Many programs, like Preppy’s Pharmacy Tech Training, offer externship opportunities near your location to help you gain practical skills.
Post that, start with entry-level jobs even if the pay is lower at first, and focus on learning as much as possible. With 1-2 years of experience, you could move into higher-paying positions.
#4 Develop Strong Communication Skills
While technical skills and certification are important, strong communication skills can also play a big role in boosting your salary.
Pharmacy technicians work directly with customers, pharmacists, and healthcare professionals, so being able to communicate effectively is a valuable skill.
Pharmacy techs who communicate effectively often get better job opportunities and faster promotions. Employers value team members who can deliver excellent customer service, reduce errors, and improve workflow efficiency.
So, if you develop strong communication skills, you’ll be in a better position for raises and promotions.
Preppy’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Program
If you’re ready to jump into a pharmacy technician course but are unsure where to start, there’s a program that ticks all the right boxes.
Program Overview
Preppy offers a 100% online pharmacy technician program in partnership with Auburn, an accredited university. Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate of completion from this university, which boosts your resume and makes you stand out to employers.
Key Features of Preppy’s Program:
- Self-Paced and 100% Online: Study anywhere, anytime, without being tied to a schedule.
- Prepares You for the PTCB Exam: Preppy’s course provides all the necessary knowledge and skills to pass the CPhT exam and become a certified pharmacy technician.
- Complete in as Little as Two Months: You could complete the entire program in just two months, although you’ll have access to the course for a full year if needed.
- Hands-On Externship Opportunities: Gain real-world experience by participating in an externship opportunity at a hospital or pharmacy.
- Affordable: Preppy offers one of the most competitively priced programs, and right now, they’re even offering a free laptop upon enrollment!
Also read: What Does a Pharmacy Tech Do?
Conclusion
Starting towards your career as a pharmacy technician offers a promising future, both in terms of job stability and earning potential.
While the average salary for pharmacy techs is around $42,260 per year, several factors—such as your experience, location, and work setting—can influence how much you make.
By obtaining the right pharmacy tech certification, gaining practical experience, and choosing the right work environment, you can boost your earning potential even as an entry-level pharmacy tech.
About:
Preppy was founded by higher education expert, Grant Aldrich, whose work on college affordability and accessibility has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, American Express, AOL, MSN, Thrive Global, Reader’s Digest, Inside Higher Ed, Evolllution, EducationDive, and nearly 100 radio shows and podcasts.
Time is money. Instead of programs that could take 2 years, Preppy provides you with education in a few months through immersive online training.
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