Average Salary Ranges for Pharmacy Technicians
Several factors influence a pharmacy technician’s salary and future earning potential. However, the BLS has compiled statistics on median salaries across the board.
According to recent data, the median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $43,460 per year in May of 2024. The highest 10 percent in the profession earned nearly $60,000 per year, while the lowest 10 percent earners had a salary of just above $35,000 per year.
Salary Trends in the Pharmacy Tech Industry
In the next decade, the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) predicts that the rate of growth for pharmacy techs will hover around 7%, which is nearly twice the rate of all professions. Having such an in-demand role may bolster a pharmacy technician’s salary and allow those in the profession to command more money.
Pharmacy techs can also expect higher pay in non-retail settings to become the norm. BLS data indicates that outpatient care services continue to be the top-paying industry for today’s pharmacy technicians, with an annual mean wage of $61,080. Psychiatric hospitals are the second-highest paying, with an annual mean wage of $57,220. Scientific research and development comes in third at $56,450.
Certification continues to play a pivotal role in increased earning potential. Certified technicians are more likely to see this role as a career, and staying longer can mean access to higher-paying management or supervisory roles. Certified technicians have reported making higher wages, as those with CPhT credentials are making $3 more per hour than non-certified technicians, while those with an advanced credential are making $5 more per hour.
Many jurisdictions continue to allow pharmacy technicians to take on new responsibilities related to patient care, including immunizing patients, helping them manage their medication, and even serving on state boards. This expansion of responsibilities may continue to open the door for new opportunities in professional development and higher pay for those who can develop specialized skills.
Many pharmacies now use electronic health records (EHR) systems. Some are even exploring the use of artificial intelligence to take over routine tasks such as inventory management and prescription processing. As emerging technology becomes more prominent in the field, pharmacy technicians with tech skills may be more in demand and command higher salaries.
Additional Benefits and Incentives for Pharmacy Technicians
A pharmacy technician’s salary isn’t the only important thing about the profession. Those in pharmacy tech roles also enjoy unprecedented career flexibility, as they have the choice to. While retail pharmacies may require working evenings and weekends, hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient facilities may offer more structured schedules, higher pay, and more work-life balance.
Depending on work location and setting, pharmacy technicians can earn a salary that is more in line with their career expectations. For example, a pharmacy technician in California can earn an annual mean wage that is 10% higher than that in Alaska. A pharmacy tech working in an outpatient setting may earn 20-30% more than one who works in a retail pharmacy.
In addition to competitive salaries, working full-time as a pharmacy technician can also earn you critical benefits that enhance your life and well-being. These may include health insurance, sign-on bonuses, paid time off, and access to retirement accounts such as 401(k) plans with employer matching.
Additionally, pharmacy technician roles often offer many opportunities for professional expansion. For example, those in the retail environment can often advance into supervisor or educator positions as well as inventory management roles. Additional certifications may allow you to take on other responsibilities for additional pay, such as immunizations or point-of-care testing.
Factors Influencing Pharmacy Technician Salaries
A pharmacy technician’s salary can vary greatly depending on several factors. For example, salaries in some states and regions may be higher than in others. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that California pays an annual mean wage of $55,710, while those in Georgia make less than $40,000 per year on average. In general, areas with a higher cost of living may offer higher pay to help pharmacy technicians cover daily living expenses.
Additionally, salary can be heavily influenced by demand levels in the local job market. To secure the best pay, it’s important to consider working in regions with the highest concentration of jobs and the lowest concentration of qualified professionals to fill them.
As a pharmacy technician, your salary can fluctuate depending on the setting in which you work and the employer you work for. BLS data shows that some settings, such as ambulatory healthcare services, pay more than others.
Finally, your level of knowledge, skill, and experience can also affect how much you’ll be paid as a pharmacy technician. Some employers may be willing to pay a higher salary to those who have proven their expertise by earning their CPhT certification or a certificate in compounding, immunization, oncology, or another specialty like chronic disease management.
How to Increase Your Earning Potential as a Pharmacy Technician
There are several ways to increase your pharmacy technician’s salary. For example, you may pursue additional education and advanced certification, or consider going into a high-demand specialty, such as compounding. If possible, you may want to move to a geographic area that pays more.
It’s also important to ask about career advancement opportunities in your current role, such as becoming a pharmacy tech lead or supervisor, taking over inventory management, or becoming an educator for new techs. You can also think about gaining experience in different settings or becoming a specialized pharmacy technician. Finally, be sure to stay updated on industry trends so that you will always have in-demand skills that employers are more likely to pay more for.
Supporting Pharmacy Tech Career Growth With RxCe
As a pharmacy technician, protecting your earning potential is critical to ensuring a fulfilling career. One way to accomplish this goal is to ensure that you keep learning and fulfilling your current professional requirements.
If continuing education courses are part of those requirements, RxCe can help you in your quest to maintain credentials and push your career forward. We offer convenient continuing education memberships that give you access to the courses you need to continue your professional journey. Contact us today to learn more about our course offerings and see how we can help you keep growing.
