Pharmacy technicians are skilled professionals who assist pharmacists in preparing and dispensing prescription medicines. You can become one by pursuing a pharmacy technician training program at a vocational school or community college. These institutions are usually far more affordable than four-year colleges, giving you a direct path to valuable savings.
Explore educational and career paths, compare programs, and connect with study opportunities at top-ranked pharmacy technician schools.
Degree at a Glance
Typical Program Length: 1-2 years
Typical Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Top Skills Gained: Medication packaging and labeling, customer service and communication, medicine transcriptioning, apothecary unit conversions, sterilization techniques, process documentation
Popular Concentrations: Certification-track Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) prep programs
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best Online Pharmacy Tech Schools
Price Check
The average salary for certified pharmacy technicians (CPhTs) is $53,000 per year — 18% higher than the average annual salary of $44,800 for all pharmacy technicians reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Why Become a Pharmacy Technician?
Pharmacy technicians appear poised for solid career growth as an aging U.S. population will likely drive higher demand for prescription medications. You can train to become a pharmacy technician quickly, and online schools often allow incoming students to start immediately without any need to wait for the next term or semester.
The career path compares favorably to other healthcare careers with low barriers to entry, such as the medical assistant and medical coding tracks.
Career Outlook for Pharmacy Technician Graduates
The BLS forecasts a higher-than-average 6% job growth rate for pharmacy technicians from 2024-34. This aligns with many other healthcare careers, which have high growth projections amid an aging U.S. population.
According to May 2024 BLS data, pharmacy technicians earn an average annual salary of $44,800 per year. However, some employment settings have higher average pay rates. You can target these industries for externships and employment to improve your salary outlook.
The following table profiles the five top-paying industries for pharmacy technicians as of May 2024:
| Industry | Annual Median Salary, May 2024 |
|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch | $62,750 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $62,410 |
| Psychiatric and Substance Use Hospitals | $55,550 |
| Insurance and Employee Benefit Funds | $55,450 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $53,530 |
Pharmacy Technician Licensing and Certification Requirements
Most states require pharmacy technicians to hold a license or professional certification. Requirements vary by state, but the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board's CPhT credential is a widely used standard.
If you plan to pursue a professional certification, consider earning a bachelor's degree in pharmacy. These four-year programs deliver deeper, more complete coverage of pharmacy science and can support your success on the PTCE and ExCPT examinations.
As an alternative, you can also seek out certification-track associate degree programs.
To research licensing or certification requirements, connect with your state's credentialing body through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
Ways to Save on a Pharmacy Technician Degree
Many schools price their pharmacy technician programs at affordable rates, but you can still take advantage of several strategies that can help you save. Consider these options:
Attend a Community College: According to National Center for Education Statistics data for in-state students, public two-year colleges cost an average of 63% less than public four-year colleges in the 2022-23 school year.
Study Online: Research the cost of online colleges before making your school choice. Online learning offers multiple avenues to significant savings, compared to the cost of in-person attendance.
Choose a Self-Paced Program: The less time you spend in school, the less your diploma or degree will cost. Some online pharmacy technician programs have self-paced formats, which allow you to move through material more quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
BLS data from May 2024 cites a national average salary of $44,800 per year for pharmacy technicians. In September 2025, Payscale listed an average salary of $53,000 per year for professionals with CPhT certification. Your location and employment industry can also affect your pay potential.
