The pharmacy technician profession has grown into one of the most personally rewarding and quickly growing careers. In fact the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts that the pharmacy technician profession will grow much faster than the average job over the next decade. More specifically, employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow by 31 percent from 2008 to 2018, fueled in part by increases in the middle-aged and elderly who require the use of prescription drugs more than younger generations. Another contributing factor to the growth of the pharmacy technician profession is the baby boomer generation now entering their senior years. And as scientific advances usher in new drug treatments for illnesses of all kinds, pharmacy workers will become a key growth field.

The BLS also reports that job openings for pharmacy technicians are expected to be very good, however, previous experience, pharmacy technician training, and certification will greatly improve job prospects. Openings will be the result of the tremendous growth of the health care and pharmacy industry, as well as, some turnover that will happen among current positions.

Pharmacy Technician Duties

Pharmacy technicians basically handle everything the pharmacist does with the exception of discussing proper usage of prescriptions with patients. Some of these duties include preparing medications, an assortment of customer service functions, taking prescription requests, tablet counting, prescription bottle labeling, and a variety of administrative duties, depending on whether a pharmacy aide is on staff.

Technicians also receive written prescription requests from patients or that were sent electronically from physicians offices. After receipt, they must check the prescription for accuracy. Prescription preparation includes handling, counting tablets, weighing the medication, and occasionally mixing medications to prevent allergies in some patients. Next they prepare the label, select the correct bottle size and fill the prescription. Also in some cases pharmacy technicians manage patient files and handle insurance matters for patients. They must never speak to patients about proper usage of their medications however, in this case they must defer the patient to the pharmacist.

Pharmacy Technician Wages and Pay

As expected, wages and salary for pharmacy technicians is very good compared to many other professions. In fact the median wage as of 2008 was $13.32, most of whom earn between $11.00 and $16.00 per hour. On the very low range (lowest 10 percent), they make $9.27, and the highest 10 percent earn over $18.98. For more details, see our pharmacy technician salary page.

As stated above, certified technicians have an advantage over non-certified technicians, both with job prospects and with salary. Some technicians and aides belong to unions representing hospital or grocery store workers.

Pharmacy Technician Training

Although there is no standardized training pharmacy technicians, some states require at least a high school diploma, but of course most pharmacy techs receive informal or on-the-job training, most likely specific to the organization they work at. However, employers do prefer applicants have proper pharmacy technician certification or other credentials, which can be obtained from community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals, or military training.