The national average annual wage of an pharmacy technician is $34,020, according to the BLS, which is over $15,000 less than average annual salary for all occupations, $51,960. The average pharmacy technician salary can vary significantly depending on the state.

Also How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician? It can take up to two years to become a pharmacy technician, depending on the education program you choose. In fact, most pharmacy certification programs can be in a year, or less than eight months.

Subsequently, Is it worth it to become a pharmacy technician? 1. Why Becoming a Pharmacy Technician Is a Good Career. … A pharmacy technician career is also a stable one with ample employment opportunities and increasing demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for pharmacy technicians is bright with an above-average growth rate.

What is the highest paying pharmacy technician job? 1. San Francisco, CA. On an average, a pharmacy technician in San Francisco can expect a salary of $56,020 annually, which is above average in comparison with other cities. CVS Health, Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, Seton Medical Center and Walgreens are big recruiters.

How long is pharmacy tech training at CVS?

CVS Health Pharmacy Technician Training Program

The program is 120 days, and teaches new technicians customer service skills, the business of pharmacy, patient safety, pharmacy workflow and inventory.

Is the pharmacy tech test hard?

The PTCB exam can be tough and being prepared is the key to success. As with any other important exam, studying before the big day can make a big difference in your final score. Follow these study tips to make sure you feel confident once exam day arrives. Yes, there might be some obscure questions on the test.

What qualifications do you need to become a pharmacy technician?


Ashworth College

  • Attain a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g., GED). …
  • Graduate from an accredited pharmacy technician training program (one year). …
  • Get certified by national and regional certification bodies (timeline varies). …
  • Maintain active certification (every two years).

Is becoming a pharmacy tech hard?

While the route to becoming a pharmacy technician can be fairly easy—you only need a high school diploma and on-site experience—the road to becoming a certified pharmacy technician is worth the travel.

Can you live off being a pharmacy tech?

Depends on life circumstances. There are many people who made being a tech a full career. If you can live with the pittance you are paid as well as never being in control of your work environment, then sure, it’s a job for a lifetime.

What are the disadvantages of being a pharmacy technician?

Con – Stressful Working Conditions

Accuracy is vital to working as a pharmacy technician because incorrectly filled prescriptions, wrong dosages or mislabeled bottles can pose health risks. Customers occasionally get frustrated waiting in lines or for prescriptions, and you have to deal with some anger and rudeness.

How much do pharmacy techs make at a hospital?

Hospital Pharmacy Technician Salary

Percentile Salary Location
10th Percentile Hospital Pharmacy Technician Salary
$33,049
US
25th Percentile Hospital Pharmacy Technician Salary $36,686 US
50th Percentile Hospital Pharmacy Technician Salary $40,681 US
75th Percentile Hospital Pharmacy Technician Salary $45,388 US

What are the four different levels of pharmacy technicians?

  • Pharmacy Technician Salary by State.
  • Pharmacy Technician Certificate or Diploma Program.
  • Pharmacy Technician Associate’s Degree Program.
  • Pharmacy Technician License.
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification.

How much does Walgreens pay pharmacy technicians?

The typical Walgreens Pharmacy Technician salary is $14 per hour. Pharmacy Technician salaries at Walgreens can range from $10 – $57 per hour.

Does CVS pay for pharmacy technician training?

Yes, they pay for your on the job training, web-based training, and classroom training. … They do pay you while you are at those training as well. No experience is necessary. For pay rates, I suggest talking to your pharmacy manager because every CVS is different.

How much does a pharmacy technician trainee make at CVS?

The typical CVS Health Pharmacy Tech Trainee salary is $12 per hour. Pharmacy Tech Trainee salaries at CVS Health can range from $10 – $15 per hour.

How much do pharmacy techs make at CVS?

The typical CVS Health Pharmacy Technician salary is $16 per hour. Pharmacy Technician salaries at CVS Health can range from $10 – $46 per hour.

What is the passing score for pharmacy technician exam?

The passing scaled score for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is 1400, with a range of possible scores of 1000 to 1600. PTCB does not provide a percentage or number of questions that must be answered correctly in order to pass the exam due to the use of scaled scoring.

How do I pass my pharmacy technician certification exam?


Practice, practice, practice becoming a Pharmacy Technician

  1. Take untimed practice tests periodically to assess your knowledge of the material. …
  2. Take several timed practice exams in the subjects that are on the PTCE. …
  3. Make a study group once you have done a sufficient amount of studying on your own.

What kind of math is on the pharmacy tech test?

The four main components in Pharmacy Math are: Weight, Volume, Temperature and Time. To prepare for the PTCB or ExCPT exam, it’s recommended to know math enough to work out complex word problems and some algebra. Additionally, conversions are referred to in nearly all pharmacy tech math calculations.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician UK?

Training to become a pharmacy technician takes two-years. It combines practical work with study as either a distance learning or college-based course. The training consists of two-years consecutive work-based experience under the direction of a pharmacist or pharmacy technicians for not less than 14 hours a week.

How do I become a pharmacy technician in Ireland?


10 Steps On How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Ireland

  1. Do You Have What It Takes? …
  2. Talk to Employed Pharmacy Technicians. …
  3. Find a Program. …
  4. Take Part in an Externship. …
  5. Network in the Industry. …
  6. Learn from Successful Mentors. …
  7. To Specialize or Not to Specialize. …
  8. Stand Out to Employers.

How do I become a pharmacy technician in Australia?

You usually need pharmaceutical experience to work as a Pharmacy Technician. While formal qualifications aren’t essential, a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course in community pharmacy dispensary may be useful.

Is being a pharmacy tech stressful?

Pharmacy technician work can be emotionally stressful as well. Accuracy is vital to the job because incorrectly filled prescriptions, wrong dosages or mislabeled bottles can pose health risks. Customers occasionally get frustrated waiting in lines or for prescriptions, and you have to deal with some anger and rudeness.

Do pharmacy techs make good money?

Here are the top 5 highest paying states for pharmacy technicians according to the BLS: California:

$22.89 per hour

, or $47,620 per year.



Pharmacy Technician Salary By State.

State Average Hourly Wage Average Annual Salary
California $22.89 $47,620
Colorado $18.76 $39,020
Connecticut $17.44 $36,280

Does pharmacy tech require math?

You don’t need years of medical school to work as a pharmacy technician, but you do need to know a bit of math. On the job, you’ll use math concepts such as percentages, algebra, ratios and fractions to measure out medication, fill prescriptions and keep tabs on the pharmacy’s inventory.