A career as a pharmacy technician is a vital, hands-on role at the heart of the healthcare system. It offers a unique blend of patient interaction, technical skill, and medical knowledge. If you're considering this rewarding path, one of your primary questions is likely about compensation: What is a typical pharmacy tech salary per hour?
While the national average provides a solid baseline, your actual earnings can vary significantly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median hourly wage for pharmacy technicians was $18.78 in May 2023, with the top 10% earning over $26 per hour.
This comprehensive guide will break down what you can expect to earn, explore the key factors that influence your salary, and look at the promising future of this profession.
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it's essential to understand the role. Pharmacy technicians are the skilled professionals who work alongside licensed pharmacists to ensure a pharmacy runs safely and efficiently. They are the backbone of both retail and clinical pharmacy operations.
Key responsibilities often include:
- Receiving and verifying prescriptions
- Accurately measuring, packaging, and labeling medications
- Managing inventory and stocking shelves
- Processing insurance claims and payments
- Answering patient questions and referring them to the pharmacist for clinical advice
- Maintaining patient records and ensuring confidentiality
Their work requires meticulous attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to patient safety.
Average Pharmacy Tech Salary Per Hour
Understanding the average salary is the first step in evaluating your earning potential. It's important to look at the median figure, which represents the midpoint of all salaries, as well as the broader range.
As of May 2023, the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides the following figures:
- Median Hourly Wage: $18.78 per hour
- Median Annual Salary: $39,070 per year
This is just the middle of the spectrum. The salary range shows the full potential:
- Lowest 10%: Earned less than $14.88 per hour
- Highest 10%: Earned more than $26.35 per hour
Data from reputable salary aggregators aligns with these government statistics. Salary.com reports a median annual salary of around $39,901, while Payscale and Glassdoor show similar averages, confirming a typical range between $38,000 and $40,000 per year for a mid-level technician.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your base salary isn't set in stone. Several critical factors can dramatically increase your hourly wage. Understanding these variables is key to maximizing your earning potential throughout your career.
###
Level of Education & Certification
While some pharmacy technician positions are available with just a high school diploma and on-the-job training, formal education and professional certification are the most reliable ways to boost your starting pay and long-term prospects.
- Education: Completing a postsecondary program, such as a certificate or an Associate's degree in Pharmacy Technology, makes you a more competitive candidate. These programs provide foundational knowledge in pharmacology, pharmacy law, and sterile compounding that employers value highly.
- Certification: National certification is a powerful salary driver. The two main credentials are the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the ExCPT Certified Pharmacy Technician from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Most employers prefer, and many states require, certification. Certified technicians consistently earn more than their non-certified counterparts.
###
Years of Experience
Like most professions, experience is a significant factor in determining your pay. As you gain skills, speed, and a deeper understanding of pharmacy operations, your value to an employer increases.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): New technicians typically start at the lower end of the salary range, often between $15 and $18 per hour, as they learn the ropes.
- Mid-Career (3-9 years): With several years of experience, technicians can expect to earn closer to or above the national median, moving into the $18 to $22 per hour range.
- Senior/Experienced (10+ years): Highly experienced technicians, especially those who take on leadership roles like managing inventory or training new staff, can command salaries in the top quartiles, often earning $23 per hour or more.
###
Geographic Location
Where you work matters. Salaries for pharmacy technicians vary widely from state to state and even between metropolitan areas, largely due to differences in cost of living and local demand.
According to the BLS, the top-paying states for pharmacy technicians are:
1. California: $25.11 per hour (average)
2. Washington: $24.84 per hour (average)
3. Alaska: $23.63 per hour (average)
4. Oregon: $23.11 per hour (average)
Working in a major metropolitan area within these or other states can also lead to higher-than-average wages.
###
Company Type
The type of facility you work in has a direct impact on your salary. Different work environments have different demands, levels of complexity, and funding structures. The BLS reports notable pay differences across industries:
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: Technicians in hospital settings often earn more, with an average hourly wage of $21.43. The work is typically more complex, may require specialized skills like sterile compounding, and can involve overnight or weekend shifts.
- Pharmacies and Drug Retailers: This is the largest employment sector for technicians. The average wage is slightly below the national median at $18.15 per hour.
- Grocery Stores / Food and Beverage Retailers: Pharmacies within these stores pay an average of $18.32 per hour.
Other high-paying environments include outpatient care centers and facilities operated by the federal government.
###
Area of Specialization
Pursuing a specialization is one of the most effective strategies for advancing your career and significantly increasing your hourly pay. These roles require additional training and certification but are in high demand.
- Sterile Compounding (IV Technician): Works in hospitals or infusion centers preparing sterile medications, such as intravenous (IV) solutions. This high-responsibility role commands a premium salary.
- Nuclear Pharmacy: Involves handling and preparing radioactive materials for use in diagnostics and treatment. This is a highly specialized and well-compensated field.
- Chemotherapy/Oncology: Technicians in this field prepare hazardous chemotherapy drugs, requiring extensive safety training and precision.
- Pharmacy Informatics: A growing field that combines pharmacy knowledge with information technology. These technicians help manage pharmacy computer systems, automated dispensing machines, and data, often earning much higher salaries.
Job Outlook
The career outlook for pharmacy technicians is strong and stable. The BLS projects employment for pharmacy technicians to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
This growth translates to approximately 37,500 job openings each year over the next decade. The primary drivers behind this demand include:
- An aging population that requires more prescription medications.
- Ongoing advances in pharmaceutical research, leading to new treatments.
- The expanding role of pharmacists in direct patient care, which allows them to delegate more dispensing tasks to qualified technicians.
Conclusion
A career as a pharmacy technician offers a clear entry point into the healthcare industry with significant potential for growth. While the national median salary is around $18.78 per hour, this figure is simply a starting point.
By investing in your professional development, you can build a career that is both personally and financially rewarding. The path to a higher pharmacy tech salary per hour is paved with:
- Certification: Get and maintain your CPhT or ExCPT credential.
- Experience: Build a solid track record of reliability and skill.
- Specialization: Pursue advanced training in high-demand areas like sterile compounding or informatics.
- Strategic Choices: Consider working in higher-paying environments like hospitals or in states with high demand.
For anyone dedicated to precision, patient care, and continuous learning, the future as a pharmacy technician is bright.