Get Your Degree!

Get information on programs from our featured schools.

What is a Pharmacy Technician?

A pharmacy technician is responsible for assisting pharmacists in the workplace. Certified or licensed pharmacy technicians will take prescriptions, count tablets, bottle medication and serve customers under the supervision of a pharmacist. Requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician vary by state, but even in those states that do not require it is advised to pursue certification as it provides the training necessary to work and provides an advantage over other potential employees.Pharmacy technicians provide a solid backbone for a pharmacy and pharmacist, being legally allowed to perform many of the tasks that may otherwise diminish a pharmacists ability to assist customers and patients.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$32,170

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

398,390

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Pharmacy Technician Training

After completing the top ranked Pharmacy Technician degree offered at Galaxy Medical College, graduates are awarded a diploma. By this time, they will surely be able to define differences between the hospital and retail, private and chain pharmacy settings. They have learned and practiced to always demonstrate ethical conduct in all duties performed. The program has helped them gain a deeper understanding of the laws that govern pharmacy, whether federal or state mandated. 

Acceptance Rate

100

Tuition

$14,700 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

The Pharmacy Technician degree at Laurel Business Institute is a well-rounded mix of classroom work, practical experience and laboratory hours. This program is designed to be self-paced that covers everything that the students will need in order to become a Pharmacy Technician. They guarantee to provide teachers that are seasoned professionals that bring a strong blend of skill, real-world experience and insight to their work. Students are given the opportunity to get their foot in the door by working with one of their many partner organizations that hire their Pharmacy Technician graduates or serve as internship sites. 

Acceptance Rate

91.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

The Pharmacy Technician program at LBI ((Laurel Technical Institute) is designed to be a balanced academic program.  The faculty at LBI melds lab hours with classroom lectures with hands-on, practical experience.  Future Pharmacy Techs can self-pace themselves in this program to work around busy schedules outside school.  Faculty at LBI bring to the table real-world experience, technical skills, and industry insights to enrolled students.  Conversely, the students are provided the opportunity to learn essential elements of Pharm Techs and partner with regional employers to intern or work in the future.   

Acceptance Rate

91.86

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The Health Care Career Training programs offered by Midwest Institute are plentiful. One of these programs is their program in Pharmacy Technician that offers a career focused curriculum with hands-on learning. They make sure to provide an environment that permits students to gain real world experience. Right from the beginning of classes, students will work closely with faculty as they experience the different stages of building their career. 

Acceptance Rate

76.47

Tuition

$14,680 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Bidwell Training Center Inc offers an 8-month Pharmacy Technician Training in Pittsburgh, PA. This program helps their students gain a strong understanding of pharmacological skills which will help them step into their new career. It is designed to teach students how to assist pharmacists by helping organize, collect and evaluate information for medication use review, patient care and departmental management. Students are guaranteed to get the skills to screen medication orders and prescriptions, implement proper preparation and packaging, and verify measurements. 

Acceptance Rate

88.52

Tuition

$12,000 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

At the Pharmacy Technician degree at Career College of Northern Nevada, students receive in-depth and hands-on training that they need to reach success in the growing, innovative pharmaceutical industry. Students who complete this college diploma gain the knowledge and develop the skills required to excel in this high-demand field. Students are required to complete a Pharmacy Technician Externship which is proven to be beneficial for them since they gain real-world work experience. As soon as they graduate, they will be eligible to sit for the national PTCB certification examination. 

Acceptance Rate

100

Tuition

$25,325 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

At Concorde Career Institute – Orlando, you can achieve a diploma in Pharmacy Technician in as few as 7 months. This program prepares students to learn skills such as distribution and storage, drug-use review, medication preparation, and medication orders and reviews through hands-on training and theory. They provide trained facilities and educators who have years of practical experience working in healthcare. All of their efforts result in effective preparation for a career as a Pharmacy Technician, as soon as the students complete the program, they are ready for the consumer care role in a pharmacy setting. 

Acceptance Rate

84.8

Tuition

$17,005 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

45:1

At Concorde Career Institute – Memphis, students have the ability to earn a Pharmacy Tech diploma in under a year.  The academic program at CCI prepares undergraduate students to manage work-related responsibilities such as medication preparation, distribution and storage, drug-use review, and processing medication orders. Students learn by doing under the tutelage of trained facility who bring years of industry experience to the table.  The combination of the theories, lectures and labs help effectively prepare students for a future as a Pharmacy Technician.  

Acceptance Rate

93.38

Tuition

$15,840 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

35:1

There are Pharmacy Technician Training courses available at Daymar College – Bowling Green. Their Pharmacy Technology program is tailored to build skills in patient profile maintenance, prescription preparation, inventory maintenance and insurance claim form preparation. They provide warm and friendly teaching styles and an experienced school staff that are willing to help the students learn through a mix of hands-on practice and in-class exercises. Their assistance doesn’t stop in graduation, career services staff can help their graduates find a place to apply their newly-learned skills. 

Acceptance Rate

94.38

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Monroe College is currently offering a certificate program in Pharmacy Technician. This comprehensive course will prepare students for an entry-level position in a hospital, home health care, retail, long-term care, or physician office pharmacy. This program will teach students how to effectively assist pharmacists and how to perform necessary daily tasks. Students will learn basic medication preparation, compounding, patient information maintenance, dosage calculations, IV admixture, and inventory and quality control. 

Acceptance Rate

47.99

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

At Concorde Career Institute – Tampa offers a competitive Pharmacy Technician diploma program that can be completed in under eight months.  CCI has structured the program to help students learn the essentials of the role as a Pharm Tech.  Elements the faculty work through include processing medical orders, storage, drug usages, medication preparation, and reviews via hands-on training.  CCI bring trained teachers to the table with ample real-world experience in the healthcare arena.   

Acceptance Rate

91.67

Tuition

$16,395 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

40:1

The competitive academic pathways offered at Professional Skills Institute helps provide motivated students a robust academic experience.  Programs offered at PSI include PTA, medical assisting, practical nursing, and medical billing.  In addition, Professional Skills Institute offers qualified students a highly regarded LPN to RN Bridge program.  The healthcare programs offered at PSI are top ranked in their respective fields given the core curriculum and feedback from alumni and business professionals.   

Acceptance Rate

80.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

At Concorde Career Institute – Miramar a student can earn a diploma in Pharmacy Technnology. The program is compressed to allow students to complete the entire diploma program in seven months of full-time study.  CCI administrators structured the diploma program to aptly prepare students for work in a variety of retail pharmacy settings.  Essential job duties include hands-on training of order processing, medication storage, inventory management, drug use review, and  medication preparation.  The team at CCI offer trained staff to help shape the conversation about the pharmacy world in real terms to set up each student for success. 

Acceptance Rate

88.35

Tuition

$43,552 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

36:1

Penn Commercial Business – Technical School is offering a Medical Assistant Program. The medical assistant courses that they provide are designed to prepare students to meet their responsibilities and achieve a rewarding career in the healthcare industry. This program awards associates in specialized business degrees in as few as 18 months. This associate degree will permit the graduate to work in different positions in clinics, hospitals and many other settings. 

Acceptance Rate

75.46

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

ECPI University is offering a 10-week program in Pharmacy Technician Certification. This program is structured to assist students in transition into the educational setting and aid them in developing needed skills for success as an entry level Pharmacy Technician. This program guarantees to provide a pharmacy environment which can give the knowledge and tools necessary to gain ultimate success in the clinical and academic settings. They will impart to students the importance of working in the Pharmacy outpatient and inpatient environment. 

Acceptance Rate

73.81

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

The degree of Pharmacy Technology at The University of Montana’s Missoula College prepares students to function as pharmacy technicians in community pharmacies, hospital-based pharmacies and several other types of pharmacies. This two-semester program includes simulation exercises in a well-equipped pharmacy lab, online classes and experiential learning opportunities. Students benefit from the lab and experiential hours because it will allow them to integrate their knowledge gained from online studies into practical settings. The Pharmacy Technology program that they offer is accredited by the ASHP/ACPE and falls under the University of Montana’s accreditation by the NWCCU. 

Acceptance Rate

93.97

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Acceptance Rate

90.48

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Arkansas Tech University offers a highly competitive Pharmacy Tech Certificate. This is a course of study that trains students in assisting pharmacists with dispensing information and processing prescriptions. Completion of this program will qualify you to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. Graduates benefit from this since most of the states and employers require pharmacy technicians to be registered/certified with an official board of pharmacy. 

Acceptance Rate

94.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The Pharmacy Technology degree at Lewis – Clark State College can help you work in retail and institutional pharmacy practice settings alongside a licensed and registered pharmacist. In this program you will gain basic understanding of physiology, pharmacy law, anatomy, medical terminology and the therapeutic classification and use of the top 200 prescription drugs. This program is designed to help you develop skills in pharmaceutical preparation. As soon as you complete the program, you will know how to maintain patient records, perform stock procedures, sterile products preparation, communication and presentation, and computer use to enter, store, and recall patient information. 

Acceptance Rate

99.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Pharmacy Technician Certificate Education is available at Mayo Medical School. It is a 20-week comprehensive certificate program where graduates are well prepared and confident for their next steps as a pharmacy technician. The approach of the curriculum for this program puts students on a fast track toward their career. With three months of online, classroom, and lab education, plus two months of clinical rotations. 

Acceptance Rate

29.52

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

A Pharmacy Technology Administration degree program is offered at Los Angeles ORT College – Los Angeles Campus. This AAS program in Pharmacy Technician is designed to meet the needs of individuals that are seeking work in the pharmacy or pharmaceutical industry. This program will provide students with the chance to learn the role of the computer in institutional as well as in retail pharmacy settings. This also includes preparation for the PTCB licensing examination, but is an optional certification. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$23,700 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Unitek College offers an ASHP/ACPE accredited Pharmacy Technician program. This program is proven to provide efficient courses, because for 75 years, ASHP has been at the forefront of efforts to improve both medication use and enhance patient safety. This program is designed to prepare students by giving them access to simulation training, healthcare facilities and extensive instruction. They guarantee that the programs they offer are not just efficient but also convenient since it can be completed in a year or less. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

The Certificate in Pharmacy Technology at Louisiana State University – Alexandria is designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes required in pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician in the health care system. Students will surely develop the oral and written communication skills needed for the workplace. The program will also help them acquire the skills related to pharmacology, calculations, law, and pharmacy management. Graduates of this program that passed the national certification examination can apply for positions in clinics, retail settings, hospitals, and medical practices. 

Acceptance Rate

56.28

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Downey Adult School is currently offering a Pharmacy Technician degree. In this program, students learn the basic concepts of pharmacology and become knowledgeable about standards and ethics, basic pharmacy calculations, route and forms, record keeping, packaging and labelling of drug products, practice settings and other needed skills in Pharmacy Technician. Students receive hands-on experience to perform in a pharmacy setting through the 120-hour externship requirements. Once they complete the program, they will be eligible to apply for the state registration with the Carolina State Board of Pharmacy. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$3,599 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

30:1

You can find a new career path through the Medical Assistant Program that the Baker College of Flint is offering. It is a one-year program structured to prepare entry-level medical assistants to assist with administrative procedures in medical offices, clinics, or in other outpatient medical settings under the direction of a healthcare provider. They proudly provide a combination of formal education and practical experience that will give the needed knowledge and skills to students so they’ll be able to administer injections, patient assessments and much more. Their efforts and the courses they offer share the same goal; to ensure that their students will learn both the administrative and clinical procedures that they will use every day. 

Acceptance Rate

73.16

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

How To Become a Pharmacy Technician

In order to become a pharmacy technician, you will need to maintain a mentality of a lifelong learner and complete a series of steps detailed below. The five steps you will need to adhere to in order to become a pharmacy technician are:

  1. Obtain a Professional Certificate: Earning a professional certificate like the CPhT or an associates degree from an ASHP accredited college or university is the first step in your quest to become a pharmacy technician. Although not required, hiring managers and pharmacy owners look favorably upon applicants that invest in their education to learn the foundational elements of their craft. With formalized classes like pharmacology, pharmacy technology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy law, and pharmacy operations, students will quickly learn the trade from 6-12 months depending on the number of classes taken in the certificate program and 24 months for the associate degree program.
  2. Get Trained: The next step in the process is to acquire valuable OJT or on-the-job-training. Getting trained through a series of clinical practicum through the college or university plus hands-on learning at a retail pharmacy outlet, drugstore, or medical facility.
  3. Board Certification: The third step in the process is to become board certified by the National Healthcare Center (NHC) or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). While some states require a pharmacy technician to become board certified and others do not yet mandate a board certification, many employers will only hire a board-certified pharmacy tech.
  4. Specialize: After earning your professional certificate, gaining essential training, and earning your board certification, you should consider specializing in your craft. From working at an insurance carrier to a community pharmacy, specializing will provide deep insight into a specific organization versus being a generalist with a little knowledge about a few entities.
  5. Continuing Education: The fifth and final step in the process is about maintaining a mentality of being a lifelong learner. By creating a growth mindset and committing to never stop learning will make the required twenty hours of continuing education a piece of cake.

Best Pharmacy Technician Programs

The best pharmacy technician programs are the ones that fit you: your goals, your aspirations, your learning style, and your priorities. Key elements of a solid pharmacy technician program are the schools accreditation, certification prep, and learning modalities.

  1. Accreditation: Both the COC and ASHP are independent, third-party accrediting bodies that assess and audit pharmacy technician programs around the country. By enrolling in a nationally accredited pharmacy technician program, you are signaling to prospective employers your understanding of the industry and commitment to becoming a professional in pharmacy.
  2. Certification Prep: The next consideration is to understand what help the school provides students prepare for the PTCB certification examination or the NHA certification exam. Whether in class or online, the school should offer clinical experience and externships to provide students with an optimal number of hands-on learning opportunities prior to sitting for a certification exam.
  3. Learning Modalities: Most students prefer to blend classroom learning with hands-on learning. During your application process with the school, take the time to understand what partnerships the school has with hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in the community that extend learning opportunities outside the classroom.

Popular Job Titles of a Pharmacy Technician

The job of a pharmacy technician can be found across the entire country from large metro areas on the coastal regions to rural communities in Americas heartland. As such, you will find a number of titles used to describe the job of a pharmacy technician depending on the employer and scope of job responsibilities for a given job. We have assembled a list of commonly used job titles for a pharmacy technician below for your future reference:

  • Lead Pharmacy Tech, Certified Pharmacy Technician
  • Accredited Pharmacy Technician
  • Senior Pharmacy Technician
  • Technician, Inventory Specialist
  • Lead Pharmacy Technician
  • Billing and Quality Technician
  • Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
  • Compounding Technician
  • Lead Pharmacy Tech
  • Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Tech

Job Responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician

In a recent survey of Pharmacy Technicians completed by the U.S. Department of Labor, professional from around the country provided unique insight into their jobs. The survey gathered fascinating information about a pharmacy techs job duties and responsibilities. The top 5 job responsibilities of a pharmacy technician include the following:

  1. Be a customer resource to address basic concerns, finding products, and relaying information to the pharmacist of record
  2. Process refill requests and written prescription to verify information is accurate and complete
  3. Answer telephones, responding to customer and vender requests
  4. Complete orders by filling bottles with defined types of medications and properly affix label
  5. Manage storage and security of prescription drugs

Educational Requirements for Pharmacy Techs

Programs for pharmacy technicians take between six months and two years. A program for becoming a pharmacy technician will provide students with a basic education and understanding in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and customer service. Students will learn the basic operations of a pharmacy, and depending on the state, the various tasks that they may perform in a pharmacy setting. Additionally students will study basic business, accounting and law classes for a better understanding of some of the non-pharmaceutical aspects of the business. As a result, students of such programs will have a well rounded understanding of how pharmacies operate by the time a program is completed.

A curriculum in a pharmacy technician program may include:

  • Pharmacology
  • Chemistry for Pharmacy
  • Business Office Machines
  • Medical Terminology
  • Pharmacy Law
Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Opportunities for Pharmacy Techs

Pharmacy technicians will find work within the numerous pharmacies located throughout the United States. These include those found in hospitals, supermarkets, large pharmacy chains and privately owned pharmacies. The role of a pharmacy technician is to assist a licensed pharmacist in customer care and preparation, though pharmacy technicians are typically unqualified to answer questions regarding treatment or medication. Pharmacy technicians provide assistance in the daily operations of the pharmacy. Some individuals may pursue a career as pharmacy technician then pursue the education necessary to become a pharmacist alongside their work. PharmD programs often choose pharmacy technicians due to their experience and knowledge making them better candidates as pharmacists.

States with the Highest Employment of Pharmacists

  • California 34,870
  • Texas 33,030
  • Florida 27,660
  • Illinois 19,330
  • New York 17,660

Top Paying States for a Pharmacist

  1. Washington $42,170
  2. California $39,760
  3. Alaska $39,600
  4. North Dakota $38,510
  5. Oregon $37,990

Largest Employers of Pharmacists

  • Health & Personal Care Stores 207,480
  • Medical and Surgical Hospitals 61,530
  • Grocery Stores 31,300
  • General Merchandise Stores 30,270
  • Department Stores 12,770

Pharmacy Technician Career Outlook

The job market for pharmacy technicians is expanding as the population gets older at a projected rate of 9% through 2024 which will add approximately 34,700 jobs during this reporting period. The demand for pharmacists is expected to increase in the coming years and in turn the demand for technicians is also expected to increase. Currently there is a shortage of pharmacists, as there are not enough programs producing pharmacists to meet the demands of populace.

This gap is expected to grow as healthcare becomes more readily available to the populace, and the average age of the citizenry of the United States increases. As a result, the growth of positions for pharmacy technicians is expected to increase to offset the lack of pharmacists available as a whole, and increasing opportunities for technicians as a whole. As the market increases, so do the responsibilities of the technician which over the years have seen the inclusion of clerical work, mixing, and intake quickly becoming part of the technician's job. Though there is little room for advancement, in larger pharmacies or stores it is possible for experience technicians to obtain supervisory positions.

Though it is possible to work in a pharmacy without certification or licensure, ones income will dramatically increase if they choose to do so. The average income of a pharmacy technician is approximately $30,920. One should see an increase in income with certification. Individuals who maintain long term employment or garner significant experience may also see increases in pay over the course of their career. Those who work in larger pharmacies and obtain supervisory positions will be among the highest earners.

Featured Rankings

Find Your College Match

Sort By
PHP Code Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com