If you are a pharmacy technician in Nebraska looking to increase your salary, there are a few strategies you can employ to improve your chances:

Obtain Certification: Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) can help you stand out to employers and potentially earn a higher salary. Consider enrolling in a program at local institutions like Nebraska Methodist College or Metropolitan Community College.

Gain Experience: Increasing your on-the-job experience can lead to higher pay. Look for opportunities to work in different pharmacy settings or take on additional responsibilities within your current role.

Continuing Education: Stay current with the latest pharmacy trends and technologies by taking continuing education courses. Consider programs offered by the University of Nebraska Medical Center or Creighton University.

Negotiate Salary: When applying for a new position or during performance evaluations, don't be afraid to negotiate your salary. Research the average pharmacy technician salary in Nebraska and use that information to advocate for fair compensation.

Network: Building relationships with other pharmacy professionals in Nebraska can open up new opportunities for career advancement. Attend local pharmacy events or join professional organizations like the Nebraska Pharmacists Association.

Obtain High School Diploma or GED

In Nebraska, the first step towards becoming a Pharmacy Technician is to obtain a high school diploma or GED. This is the minimum educational requirement for the profession. Prospective pharmacy technicians should focus on subjects such as Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry. These subjects provide a foundation for the technical and scientific knowledge required in pharmacy work.

Complete a Pharmacy Technician Training Program

After obtaining a high school diploma or GED, the next step is usually to complete a pharmacy technician training program. Nebraska offers a number of these programs through community colleges and vocational schools. However, there is a more affordable and flexible option available through online certification training platforms like Stepful.

Stepful offers comprehensive, affordable, and flexible training that is designed to fully equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed as pharmacy technicians.

>> Read More: How Much Do Pharmacy Technician School & Certification Cost?

Achieve State Certification

Once training is completed, you must become certified by passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT). In Nebraska, certification is required to work as a pharmacy technician.

The Nebraska Board of Pharmacy recognizes both the PTCE, administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), and the ExCPT, administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Once certified, you will be able to legally work as a pharmacy technician in Nebraska.

>> Read More: Pharmacy Technician Certification Options (PTCB, NHA, CPhT, & More)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 47,400 job openings each year, primarily due to the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

In Nebraska, pharmacy technicians are employed across various settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. As of May 2023, there were approximately 2,560 pharmacy technicians employed in the state. Nebraska's employment concentration for this occupation is 2.562 per 1,000 jobs, with a location quotient of 0.85, indicating a slightly lower concentration of pharmacy technician jobs compared to the national average.

With a favorable national job outlook and opportunities across the state, Nebraska presents a viable environment for individuals pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician.