Healthcare practitioners
Pharmacy technician
Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.
Median pay
$45,750
Growth to 2035
+6%
faster than average
Openings a year
44,700
Time to qualify*
7 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Pharmacy technician
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
- Required
- PTCB or ExCPT certification (most employers) · State registration
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Pharmacy technician: 17% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate.
- Enter prescription information into computer databases.
- Establish or maintain patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual patients.
- Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
- Receive and store incoming supplies, verify quantities against invoices, check for outdated medications in current inventory, and inform supervisors of stock needs and shortages.
- Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests.
- Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.
- Operate cash registers to accept payment from customers.
Also called: 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)
Outlook and AI
Pharmacy technicians held 471,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 501,300 by 2035 (+6%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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