Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians spend their days handling medication orders and assisting customers or medical staff. Their primary tasks include measuring, mixing, counting, and labeling dosages according to specific prescription orders. To do this safely, they must evaluate information against strict standards, document records accurately, and monitor their work surroundings. Strong conventional interests are typical for this role, as the work requires structure and high attention to detail.

Success in this job relies on excellent customer service, active listening, and clear communication. Technicians frequently interact with the public, supervisors, and peers. They must apply knowledge of medicine, basic mathematics, chemistry, and administrative procedures. Because they handle sensitive health information and prescriptions, they must demonstrate high integrity, dependability, cautiousness, and stress tolerance. They also use computers regularly to process information and manage inventory.

To enter this career, candidates typically need at least a high school diploma. The occupation is classified as requiring medium preparation, which often involves vocational training, an associate degree, or related on-the-job experience. Students interested in this path frequently major in allied health and medical assisting services.

Depending on where they plan to work, some states list a license for this occupation. Additionally, several professional certifications are available to demonstrate competency. These include the Certified Pharmacy Technician credential from either the National Healthcareer Association or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, the Pharmacy Technician Online National Certification from American Allied Health, the Sterile Products (IV) Certification from the National Pharmacy Technician Association, and the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.

In 2025, the median annual pay for pharmacy technicians was $45,750. Earnings vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% of workers earning less than $36,020 and the highest 10% earning more than $61,040.

With 471,680 people employed in this field, the occupation is projected to grow by 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth and normal staff turnover are expected to result in approximately 44,700 job openings each year.