Pharmacy Technicians
SOC code 29-2052 · O*NET-SOC 29-2052.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Pharmacy technician is one of the shortest routes into a credentialed healthcare job — many states require only a certificate and a national exam. Retail pharmacies employ the most technicians, while hospital and compounding roles usually pay more.
Pharmacy Technicians pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$45,750
a year
Hourly
$22.00
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$46,620
$22.41 per hour
Middle 50%
$37,850 – $49,990
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$36,020 – $61,040
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
471,680
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $36,020
- $17.32/hr
- 25th percentile
- $37,850
- $18.20/hr
- Median percentile
- $45,750
- $22.00/hr
- 75th percentile
- $49,990
- $24.04/hr
- 90th percentile
- $61,040
- $29.35/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+6%
Growing faster than average
490,400
jobs in 2024
521,800
projected for 2034
About 31,400 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a pharmacy technician do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Compute charges for medication or equipment dispensed to hospital patients and enter data in computer.
- Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
- Prepare and process medical insurance claim forms and records.
- Receive and store incoming supplies, verify quantities against invoices, check for outdated medications in current inventory, and inform supervisors of stock needs and shortages.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.
How to become a pharmacy technician
Most people in this role hold post-secondary certificate — 42% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Post-Secondary Certificate42%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)36%
- Some College Courses15%
- Bachelor's Degree4%
Common questions
How much does a pharmacy technician earn?
The national median is $45,750 a year. The full range runs from $36,020 at the 10th percentile to $61,040 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a pharmacy technician without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is pharmacy technician in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 6% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Speaking3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.6/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.9/5
- Mathematics3.8/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Computers and Electronics3.7/5
- Law and Government3.5/5
- Administrative3.3/5
- Production and Processing3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.