If you’ve been thinking about a career change or looking to enter the healthcare industry, you might have considered to become a pharmacy technician. But perhaps you’ve heard things like “it’s just counting pills,” “you need years of school,” or “there’s no real growth.” If any of those doubts have crossed your mind, this guide is for you.
We’re going to break down the three biggest myths that often stop people from pursuing this rewarding and rapidly growing career. We’ll also look at what it really takes to become a pharmacy technician, how fast you can get started, and why it might be one of the most underestimated career paths in healthcare today.
Why the Pharmacy Technician Field is Booming
Before we tackle the myths, let’s look at the bigger picture. The demand for pharmacy technicians is exploding.
- Around 50,000 job openings are projected for pharmacy techs every year.
- The pharmaceutical market is expected to grow from $500 billion to over $700 billion by 2030.
- As the population ages and medications become more complex, pharmacy technicians are playing a more central role in healthcare systems.
What makes this field especially attractive is the working environment. Pharmacy technicians often work in comfortable, clean settings, with predictable schedules—a rarity in healthcare.
Now let’s get to the truth behind the most common misconceptions.
Myth #1: Pharmacy Techs Just Count Pills All Day
This might be the most frustrating and inaccurate myth out there. Yes, dispensing medications is part of the job, but it’s far from the full picture.
Here’s what a day in the life of a pharmacy tech might really include:
- Handling insurance authorizations
- Managing medication inventory systems
- Preparing specialized medications (compounding)
- Training new staff members
- Explaining medication usage to patients
- Coordinating with physicians and ensuring prescription accuracy
Pharmacy techs are often the first point of contact when a patient has questions about side effects or drug interactions. They run complex computer systems, work with insurance providers, and ensure that safety standards are met before a prescription leaves the pharmacy.
Myth #2: You Need Years of School to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Let’s clear this up: You do NOT need years of schooling to become a pharmacy technician.
People often assume that working with medication must require a long academic journey similar to pharmacists or doctors. But pharmacy techs don’t diagnose patients or prescribe treatments. Instead, they follow carefully designed procedures and guidelines that can be learned in a much shorter time.
With the right pharmacy technician training program, you can be job-ready in as little as two to three months. That’s right—just a few months of focused learning can launch your career.
What’s more, many programs are available entirely online, allowing you to train at your own pace without quitting your job or uprooting your life.
Myth #3: There’s No Room for Growth
Another myth is that once you’re in a pharmacy tech role, you’re stuck at the entry level. This is simply not true.
In reality, pharmacy technicians can advance in multiple ways:
- Supervisory roles in large pharmacies or hospital settings
- Specializations in areas like sterile compounding or oncology
- Pharmaceutical sales or roles in pharmacy management
- Higher salaries in hospital settings or specialized pharmacies
Many experienced pharmacy technicians train new hires, manage pharmacy operations, or even transition into roles with significant pay increases and more responsibilities.
The key is to start. Once you’re in, the industry offers plenty of room for professional growth and salary advancement.
What You Really Need to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Now that we’ve debunked the myths, let’s get practical.
What does it take to become a pharmacy technician?
- Training – You need a program that gives you both the technical knowledge and hands-on skills to pass certification exams and be job-ready.
- Certification – Most employers require you to pass the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) exam.
- Externship or Experience – Real-world experience, even if short-term, gives you a major advantage when applying for jobs.
Many people believe they must return to a traditional college program, which could cost up to $15,000 and take 2 years. On the other hand, some are lured into so-called “quick fix” online courses promising certification in two weeks—but those programs often lack quality and credibility in the eyes of employers.
A Better Way: The Preppy Approach
So how can you get trained, certified, and experienced quickly and affordably?
Enter Preppy’s online pharmacy tech course.
This method combines the credibility of traditional education with the flexibility of modern, online learning. Here’s what you get:
- 100% online, self-paced training
- Finish in as little as 2 to 3 months
- Certificate of completion from an accredited university
- Eligibility for the PTCB exam
- Externship opportunities to gain hands-on experience
- Job placement support
- All of this for just $1,599—a fraction of the cost of traditional programs
This approach is designed for working adults and career changers who can’t afford to waste time or money. It cuts out unnecessary coursework and focuses on real-world skills that employers value.
The Preppy approach has already helped thousands of students nationwide become pharmacy technicians, debt-free and job-ready.
Ready to Become a Pharmacy Technician?
If you’ve been hesitant because of outdated or misleading information, now’s the time to reconsider.
To become a pharmacy technician, you don’t need years of school.
You don’t need to settle for an entry-level job with no future.
And you definitely won’t be stuck counting pills all day.
Instead, you’ll find yourself at the center of a fast-growing industry, with meaningful work, competitive pay, and plenty of room to grow. Whether you’re 18 or 48, the opportunity is wide open—and just a few months of training away.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let myths stop you from pursuing a career that could offer you stability, purpose, and advancement. With demand rising and accessible training options available, there’s never been a better time to become a pharmacy technician.
Remember: You don’t have to put your life on hold or go deep into debt to enter healthcare. All you need is the right information—and the willingness to take the first step.
Your future in healthcare could start today.
Also read: Is a Medical Assistant Career Recession-Proof?
About:
Preppy was founded by higher education expert, Grant Aldrich, who’s 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 education in a few months through immersive online training.
Healthcare, IT, Business, Trades…Preppy gets you ready for the trending careers in our modern economy.
Our team of higher education and startup veterans have created the best solution so everyone can obtain the emerging careers of today and tomorrow.
We look forward to speaking with you. You may also call 800-729-1317.
