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Pharmacy technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$45,750median pay per year, or $22.00 an hour, May 2025[3]
  1. $36,020lowest 10% earn less
  2. $37,85025th percentile
  3. $45,750median
  4. $49,99075th percentile
  5. $61,040top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[6]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[7]

You can become a pharmacy technician with a high school diploma and on-the-job training that typically takes less than a year[1][2]. The median pay was $45,750 a year in May 2025[3], and jobs are projected to grow faster than for all occupations[4][5].

Job growth, 2025–35
+6.4%[4]
Openings per year
44,700[8]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[1]

How much do pharmacy technicians make?

The median wage for pharmacy technicians was $45,750 a year, or $22.00 an hour, in May 2025[3]. That means half earned more and half earned less[3]. The average (mean) was a little higher, at $46,620 a year or $22.41 an hour[9].

For comparison, the median for all US occupations was $50,980[7]. So the typical pharmacy technician earns less than the typical US worker[3][7].

Pay is fairly tightly bunched. BLS reports wages as percentiles, which are boundaries, not starting salaries[10].

Percentile Per year Per hour
10th $36,020 $17.32
25th $37,850 $18.20
50th (median) $45,750 $22.00
75th $49,990 $24.04
90th $61,040 $29.35

Sources for the table:[3][6][11].

Put simply, the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $36,020, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $61,040[6]. These figures cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not count nonproduction bonuses or the value of benefits like health insurance[12]. Self-employment is rare in this job anyway, at 0.1% of workers in 2025[13].

Pay by state and city

Where you live makes a real difference. Washington had the highest state median at $58,900, followed by California at $55,110, Oregon at $54,900, Alaska at $52,640 and Colorado at $49,970[14]. At the other end, West Virginia had the lowest median, $38,210[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Napa, CA topped the list at $77,360, then San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $75,490 and Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA at $61,800[15]. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA came next at $61,320[15].

The most jobs are in big states. Texas had 41,740, California 39,860, Florida 38,460, New York 24,400 and Illinois 21,340[16]. By metro area, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ led with 25,420 jobs and a median of $44,640[17]. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN followed with 15,830 jobs and a median of $46,820[17].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[14]$58,9008,150
California$55,11039,860
Oregon$54,9004,320
Alaska$52,640800
Colorado$49,9706,010
Montana$49,4001,340
Minnesota$48,3007,340
Wyoming$48,260600
Utah$48,1405,030
Nevada$47,9804,070
Vermont$47,940760
Arizona$47,64012,970
North Dakota$47,560890
District of Columbia$47,4101,130
New Hampshire$47,3601,970
Connecticut$47,0505,200
Hawaii$46,7601,540
Illinois$46,65021,340
New Mexico$46,6302,550
Nebraska$46,6102,660
Massachusetts$46,47010,150
Delaware$46,4301,480
Idaho$46,4202,950
South Dakota$46,1701,230
Wisconsin$45,9709,540
Texas$45,90041,740
Maine$45,4002,070
Maryland$45,1207,990
Iowa$44,8604,630
Virginia$44,61010,720
Indiana$44,56010,790
North Carolina$44,53017,260
Louisiana$44,4106,700
Rhode Island$44,3801,540
Michigan$44,34014,240
New York$43,93024,400
Florida$43,59038,460
Kansas$43,3104,270
South Carolina$42,1208,070
Tennessee$41,92011,870
Georgia$41,91014,680
Ohio$40,65017,820
Oklahoma$40,5005,500
Missouri$40,10012,610
Pennsylvania$40,04018,880
New Jersey$39,61014,020
Kentucky$39,2008,870
Mississippi$39,0404,040
Alabama$39,0308,510
Arkansas$38,6804,560
West Virginia$38,2103,560

How to become a pharmacy technician

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, with no prior work experience in a related job and moderate-term on-the-job training[1]. There are two common routes after that[18].

1) Finish high school or get an equivalent credential. This is the usual minimum[2]. 2) Train on the job, or take a program. Some technicians learn at work, often next to experienced technicians, and this training usually takes under a year[2]. Others complete a pharmacy technology program at a vocational school or community college[19]. 3) Check your state's rules. Most states regulate pharmacy technicians in some way[20]. Depending on the state, you may need to pass an exam or finish a formal training program[18].

Pharmacy technology programs often end with a certificate after 1 year or less, while some longer ones lead to an associate's degree[19]. Classes cover pharmacy math, recordkeeping, how medicines are dispensed, and pharmacy law and ethics, plus drug names, uses and doses[19]. Many include hands-on time in a real pharmacy[19].

In states that regulate the job, requirements can include some or all of these[21]:

CareerOneStop has details on each state's licensing board requirements[20].

Workers themselves report a mix of education. In an ONET survey of 31 workers, 42% said a post-secondary certificate is required, 36% said a high school diploma or equivalent, and 15% said some college courses[29]. ONET places the job in Job Zone Three, meaning medium preparation is needed[30].

What pharmacy technicians do

Pharmacy technicians get medicines ready under a pharmacist's direction. That can mean measuring, mixing, counting and labeling drugs and recording doses to match each prescription[31]. Typical tasks include[32]:

Sample job titles workers report include Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), Compounding Technician and Chemotherapy Pharmacy Technician[33].

Where they work

Pharmacies and drug retailers are the biggest employer, with 51% of pharmacy technicians in 2025[34].

Expect to be on your feet for much of the day, standing or walking[35]. You usually work in a team with other pharmacy staff and healthcare providers[35].

Full-time work is the norm, but part-time jobs are common too[36]. Because some pharmacies never close, the schedule can include nights or weekends[36].

Job outlook

BLS expects the number of pharmacy technician jobs to rise 6.4% between 2025 and 2035, going from roughly 471,200 to 501,300[4]. That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations[5].

About 44,700 openings are expected each year on average[8]. That count is not only new jobs. It also includes jobs that open up when workers retire or switch to other careers[8]. Each year, about 3.5% of pharmacy technicians leave the labor force and 5.1% move to a different occupation[37].

The 2025 projection count (471,200) includes self-employed workers, while the May 2025 wage survey count (471,680) does not, and the two counts come from different BLS programs, so they do not match exactly[38][4].

Is it a good fit?

This job has a short path in. You need a high school diploma and training that usually takes less than a year[1][2]. The median pay of $45,750 is below the $50,980 median for all occupations[3][7], and the range is narrow, with the 90th percentile at $61,040[6]. Pay is higher in states like Washington, California and Oregon[14]. With 6.4% projected growth and about 44,700 openings a year, openings should keep coming up[4][8]. It may suit someone who wants to start working in healthcare quickly and is fine with being on their feet much of the day and possible night or weekend shifts[35][36].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[39].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a pharmacy technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $22.00 in May 2025[3]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $17.32 an hour, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $29.35[11].
How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?
On-the-job training typically lasts less than 1 year[2]. Many pharmacy technology certificate programs take 1 year or less, and some longer programs lead to an associate's degree[19].
What education do you need to be a pharmacy technician?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[1]. Some technicians also complete a postsecondary pharmacy technology program[19], and state rules may require formal training[23].
What is the highest paying state for pharmacy technicians?
Washington had the highest state median wage in May 2025, at $58,900 a year[14]. California ($55,110) and Oregon ($54,900) came next[14].
Are pharmacy technicians in demand?
Jobs are expected to rise 6.4% between 2025 and 2035, faster than the 3.5% for all occupations[4][5]. About 44,700 openings are expected each year[8].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Pharmacy Technicians: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  2. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Pharmacy Technicians in the US was $45,750 per year and $22.00 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Pharmacy Technicians is projected to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 471,200 to 501,300 jobs (a change of +30,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Pharmacy Technicians: 10th percentile $36,020, 25th percentile $37,850, 75th percentile $49,990, 90th percentile $61,040. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS Employment Projections: about 44,700 openings for Pharmacy Technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Pharmacy Technicians was $46,620 per year and $22.41 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Pharmacy Technicians: 10th percentile $17.32, 25th percentile $18.20, 75th percentile $24.04, 90th percentile $29.35. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS Employment Projections: 0.1% of Pharmacy Technicians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  14. Median annual wage for Pharmacy Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Pharmacy Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Napa, CA $77,360; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $75,490; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $61,800; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $61,320; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $60,550; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $59,380; Vallejo, CA $58,670; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $58,590. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Pharmacy Technicians jobs: Texas 41,740; California 39,860; Florida 38,460; New York 24,400; Illinois 21,340. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Pharmacy Technicians jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 25,420 (median $44,640); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 15,830 (median $46,820); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 13,130 (median $50,760); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 12,000 (median $46,260); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 10,610 (median $46,400); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 10,310 (median $45,240). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. O*NET 29-2052.00 survey of workers (31 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Secondary Certificate 42%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 36%, Some College Courses 15% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET 29-2052.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET description of Pharmacy Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  32. O*NET task list for Pharmacy Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  33. O*NET 29-2052.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Accredited Pharmacy Technician, Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), Chemotherapy Pharmacy Technician (Chemo Pharmacy Technician), Compounding Technician, OR Pharmacy Tech (Operating Room Pharmacy Tech), RPhT (Registered Pharmacy Technician). O*NET OnLine
  34. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of pharmacy technicians in 2025: Pharmacies and drug retailers 51%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Pharmacy Technicians: 3.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 471,680 people were employed as Pharmacy Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  39. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.