Unlike many careers that require a four-year degree, if you want to become a pharmacy technician, there's no shortage of opportunities — and you can do it for a fraction of the cost. In fact, the BLS projects a bright outlook for pharmacy technicians, with 4% job growth between 2019-2029.
The average pharmacy technician salary in the United States is about $36,500, but your pay can vary greatly based on where you're employed. As an important part of health care support, pharmacy techs work in a variety of places, including:
Hospitals
Pharmacies
Military bases
Mental health facilities
Nursing homes
Department stores and supermarkets
Working under the supervision of a pharmacist, pharmacy technicians perform many administrative tasks and interact with customers, answering questions and filling prescriptions.
How Much is a Pharmacy Technician Salary?
The pharmacy tech salary range in the United States is wide, with the lowest 10% earning about $25,000, while the highest 10% can earn $50,000 or more.
Because of the minimal education requirements, becoming a pharmacy tech is an attractive career opportunity for people who want to start in an important and fast-growing field or change careers later in life.
Many people are attracted to the profession because it doesn't require a college degree at the entry level, although candidates must complete training and become certified by a national board.
Pharmacy Technician Salary per State
How much can a pharmacy technician expect to make? Depending on the state and the work location (hospital, pharmacy, supermarket, etc.), pharmacy tech pay varies widely. Here's a breakdown of salary ranges by state.
