Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy Technicians 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Pharmacy Technicians 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.
- Prepack bulk medicines, fill bottles with prescribed medications and type and affix labels.
- Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests.
- Prepare and process medical insurance claim forms and records.
- Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
- Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.
- Price and file prescriptions that have been filled.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Pharmacy Technicians answer telephones, responding to questions or requests. They receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate.
A typical day for a Pharmacy Technician will also include:
- Prepack bulk medicines, fill bottles with prescribed medications and type and affix labels.
- Prepare and process medical insurance claim forms and records.
- Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.
- Price and file prescriptions that have been filled.
- Operate cash registers to accept payment from customers.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Pharmacy Technicians also maintain and merchandise home healthcare products or services. They may also price stock and mark items for sale.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Pharmacy Technicians restock intravenous (iv) supplies and add measured drugs or nutrients to iv solutions under sterile conditions to prepare iv packs for various uses, such as chemotherapy medication. They might also deliver medications or pharmaceutical supplies to patients, nursing stations, or surgery.
In addition, they mix pharmaceutical preparations, according to written prescriptions.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them compute charges for medication or equipment dispensed to hospital patients and enter data in the computer.
To some Pharmacy Technicians, it is also their responsibility to operate cash registers to accept payment from customers.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
59% said they were satisfied with their job and 68% said they found their job meaningful.
I work as a pharmacy technician for a non-profit mail order pharmacy that takes donated medicine from clinical partners (nursing homes, clinics, etc) and repackages them for patients who cannot afford their medication costs from traditional pharmacies. This is a very unique industry at the intersection of healthcare and social good.
Pharmacy tech jobs will vary greatly depending on if they are retail, hospital, non-profit, mail order, etc. But, the basics remain the same. Medication retrieval, dispensing into patient level vials or other packaging and making sure that medication gets to the patient it is intended for, either via direct delivery or through the mail. Pharmacy maintenance includes everything from ordering and/or removing out-of-date medication from stock to monitoring temperatures on refrigerators and general cleaning.
Most of my days are spent retrieving, sorting, and packaging prescription medication. Other tasks required of pharmacy technicians include customer service (via telephone since we are a mail order only pharmacy), shipping, and an assortment of other basic pharmacy maintenance tasks.
In general, pharmacy technicians have flexible hours, depending on where they choose to work. Part-time, full-time, and day or evening shifts may be available, making it easier to for those looking for something besides a 9 to 5 schedule.
Pros
Definitely, the biggest pro of this job is knowing that I am part of an organization determined to help people in need afford their medication. After having worked in a retail pharmacy for many years, it’s refreshing to work for a non-profit pharmacy with a slightly different mission.
Cons
You spend a lot of time on your feet and the pill counting and repackaging can become a bit repetitious after a while.
Pros
Suitable for people who like to follow routines.
Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Short working hours (Less than 40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Pharmacy Technicians with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $25,400 to $29,090 per year or $12 to $14 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $50,430 | $24 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $41,660 | $20 |
| Median | $35,100 | $17 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $29,090 | $14 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $25,400 | $12 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Pharmacy Technicians based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Care Centers | $49690 | $23.89 |
| Federal Executive Branch | $47690 | $22.93 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $43990 | $21.15 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | $43960 | $21.14 |
| Local Government | $43730 | $21.02 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $42840 | $20.60 |
| Specialty Hospitals | $41380 | $19.89 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $41180 | $19.80 |
| Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities | $40350 | $19.40 |
| State Government | $39950 | $19.21 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Pharmacy Technicians work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Pharmacy Technicians including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Personal Care Stores | 210520 | $34420 | $16.55 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 66240 | $41180 | $19.80 |
| Food and Beverage Stores | 41960 | $33000 | $15.87 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 14260 | $37410 | $17.99 |
| Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses | 8690 | $38120 | $18.33 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 6650 | $49690 | $23.89 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 6560 | $47690 | $22.93 |
| Offices of Physicians | 6090 | $38180 | $18.35 |
| Employment Services | 3510 | $39300 | $18.89 |
| Specialty Hospitals | 2640 | $41380 | $19.89 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Pharmacy Technicians need at least a high school diploma but may find more job opportunities after obtaining a postsecondary degree. Students studying for Associate’s Degrees or Bachelor’s Degrees tend to choose Pharmacology or Pharmacy Technician programs.
Most states require Pharmacy Technicians to meet certain requirements and possibly obtain a certificate through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Pharmacy Technician/Assistant
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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