How Much Do Pharmacy Techs Make in Texas?
If you’re looking to work in the Texas healthcare field but don’t want or can’t afford to spend years in school, the pharmacy technician position might be the perfect fit. As a pharmacy tech, you can help fill prescriptions for people and maintain inventory while also assisting pharmacists in their daily tasks.
But how much do pharmacy techs make in Texas? Can you make a living from this career path? Here’s a look at what you can expect from the job.
Average Salary for Pharmacy Technicians in Texas
In Texas, the average annual salary for a pharmacy technician is $38,330, which comes out to an hourly average of $18.43. This state has one of the highest average rates for the job.
Around the country, the national mean annual salary for pharmacy techs is $43,330. That means the hourly wage comes out to $20.83. Although not all of Texas offers the highest average salary, the Midland area comes close, providing average wages of $40,480.
Regional Salary Breakdown in Texas
How much do pharmacy techs make in Texas, exactly? To thoroughly answer that question, you have to consider where in Texas you’ll be working. Because Texas is such a large state, there are significant variations in pharmacy tech wages.
High-Paying Cities/Areas
A good rule of thumb is that the larger the city is, the better the wages will be. Texas is no exception. Some of the highest-paying cities include:
- Austin
- Houston
- San Antonio
- Killeen
- Midland
- Odessa
- Waco
- Dallas
Average salaries for pharmacy techs here range from $38,160 to $40,480. These cities also employ the highest number of pharmacy techs in the state.
Low-Paying Cities/Areas
The state’s rural regions have the lowest average salaries. These areas include:
- McAllen
- Lubbock
- Beaumont
- Tyler
- Brownsville
- Laredo
The average salaries here range from $33,550 to $35,940. Because there isn’t a lot of demand for pharmacy techs in rural places, the salaries tend to be on the lower end.
Job Outlook and Demand for Pharmacy Technicians in Texas
The pharmacy tech job outlook is promising. In 2020, 35,690 pharmacy technicians were working in Texas. There’s supposed to be a growth of 23.82% in the number of these jobs by 2030.
In larger cities, the demand for these employees continues to be high, which positively impacts the salaries available. If employers want to get top talent, they must make attractive offers. That leads them to offer better earnings and benefits.
In areas where fewer jobs are available, salaries tend to be lower because employers have fewer businesses to compete with. They don’t have the same incentive to ensure employees choose them.
Factors Affecting Pharmacy Technician Salaries in Texas
A great many factors influence the salary you’ll make if you decide to work as a pharmacy tech in Texas.
Experience Level
You can’t expect entry-level pharmacy tech jobs to pay the same as jobs meant for people with years of experience. In Dallas, for example, an entry-level role would pay a salary of $29,270, whereas the salary for someone with a lot of experience would be $47,550. Throughout Texas, entry-level pharmacy tech salaries are all below $30,000.
Location
The location will have a huge impact on the salary you make. In big cities, there’s a lot of competition among employers, which means that wages tend to be greater. Keep in mind, however, that your job in a city will likely be more demanding because there are more people.
The opposite is true in rural areas. There are few employers, so there aren’t as many opportunities. Workers are willing to take positions with lower salaries because of this lack of demand.
Certification and Education
Employers are willing to pay higher salaries to those who have additional education and certification. There are two main types of certification for pharmacy techs: national and state. National certification means that you have completed a proficiency exam, and state certification means you are allowed to practice in the state.
Becoming a certified pharmacy technician can give you a significant boost in salary while also opening up more opportunities. Getting a national certification can even allow you to work in other states.
Work Setting
Some settings pay more than others. Working in retail, for example, could mean a salary on the lower end of the spectrum. A hospital job, by contrast, will typically pay well.
Ways to Increase Earning Potential as a Pharmacy Tech in Texas
If you’re planning on becoming a pharmacy tech in Texas, there are steps you can take to improve your earning potential.
Certification and Specialized Training
Getting further certification means being able to apply for better-paying positions. The same can be said if you get specialized training. Specialized training makes you a more attractive applicant and broadens your career’s borders. Some important specializations include compounding, immunization administration, and billing and reimbursement.
Advancing to Supervisory Roles
Another way to boost your salary is by stepping into leadership positions. This usually means getting the right certifications and being open to continuing education to gain expertise in management.
Gaining Experience in High-Demand Sectors
One of the best ways to help yourself get top-tier salaries is by racking up lots of experience in high-demand sectors. These include hospitals and specialized pharmacies, including those that cater to people with rare or chronic conditions.
How RxCe Helps You With Your Pharmacy Tech Career
Have you decided to pursue a career as a pharmacy tech? Alternatively, are you looking for a way to improve your current salary in that field? In both cases, choosing certifications and specializations is important. At RxCe, we offer the continuing education you need to make the most of your career like a Compounding Certificate.
Our team offers a wide selection of CE courses at excellent rates. Even better, the moment that you pass the exam for the class, your credits are immediately reported to the CPE monitor, making the process smooth and simple.
So what are you waiting for? With our help, you can get your career on track.
