Average Pharmacy Technician Salary: How Much They Make Hourly & Annually

Being a pharmacy technician is a great job for people who want to work in the medical field. Pharmacy technicians learn how different medications work, help people stay healthy, and earn decent pay. 

Pharmacy technicians often go back to school to become pharmacists or other more advanced healthcare providers. They are able to earn a living wage while preparing themselves for a well-respected and in-demand career. 

So, what is the average pharmacy technician salary? 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians earned a median annual salary of $36,740 or $17.66 per hour in 2021 nationwide. 

Of course, experience, certifications, and location can make a big difference in a person’s salary. 

This guide goes over over average pharmacy technician salaries by state and in major cities, how to earn more as a pharmacy technician, and more. 

Pharmacy Technician Salary Overview

As of May 2021, the median salary for a pharmacy technician working full-time in the United States was $36,740 per year, which comes out to $17.66 per hour. This pay varies from as low as $28,740 to as high as $47,550 per year.

Here are some things that affect how much pharmacy technicians make:

  • Years of Experience. While you may start out earning closer to the lower end of the pharmacy technician salary range, your pay should increase as you gain more experience. Pharmacy technicians with 5 to 9 years of experience earn up to $9,000 more per year than brand-new employees. 
  • Type of Facility. Pay varies based on the type of facility you choose to work in. Pharmacy technicians in hospitals earn an average of $38,270 per year. Those working in food and beverage stores earn about $36,090, and drugstore pharmacy technicians earn about $35,940.
  • Location. For all healthcare workers, location is one of the things that will impact pay the most. For example, pharmacy technicians working in California earn much more than those working in Utah. 
  • Certifications. Most states require a certification or license for pharmacy technicians. In those that do not require it, certified pharmacy technicians may be paid more than those who are not certified. 

Pharmacy Technician Salary by State

State Avg Hourly Wage Avg Salary # Jobs
Alabama $16.69 $34,720 7,980
Alaska $23.18 $48,210 790
Arizona $20.36 $42,360 11,540
Arkansas $16.74 $34,820 4,520
California $25.04 $52,090 38,780
Colorado $20.98 $43,630 5,870
Connecticut $19.14 $39,810 4,500
Delaware $18.57 $38,620 1,190
District of Columbia $21.75 $45,240 720
Florida $18.40 $38,270 38,970
Georgia $17.79 $37,000 14,380
Hawaii $20.29 $42,210 1,350
Idaho $19.48 $40,510 2,520
Illinois $19.67 $40,910 21,370
Indiana $18.30 $38,050 10,330
Iowa $18.45 $38,370 4,750
Kansas $18.29 $38,040 4,210
Kentucky $16.99 $35,340 9,910
Louisiana $17.93 $37,300 6,490
Maine $18.12 $37,690 2,190
Maryland $19.50 $40,550 7,240
Massachusetts $21.07 $43,830 8,730
Michigan $18.22 $37,890 14,890
Minnesota $20.88 $43,420 7,880
Mississippi $16.79 $34,910 3,990
Missouri $17.44 $36,280 10,040
Montana $19.42 $40,380 1,320
Nebraska $18.08 $37,610 2,570
Nevada $20.08 $41,760 4,430
New Hampshire $18.78 $39,070 2,160
New Jersey $18.87 $39,250 11,890
New Mexico $19.21 $39,950 2,620
New York $19.64 $40,860 23,550
North Carolina $18.07 $37,590 16,370
North Dakota $20.75 $43,150 830
Ohio $17.93 $37,290 16,920
Oklahoma $17.03 $35,420 5,070
Oregon $22.49 $46,770 4,470
Pennsylvania $17.74 $36,890 20,580
Rhode Island $19.75 $41,070 1,540
South Carolina $17.73 $36,870 7,560
South Dakota $18.19 $37,840 1,170
Tennessee $17.69 $36,790 12,820
Texas $19.53 $40,620 36,870
Utah $20.33 $42,290 4,550
Vermont $18.70 $38,900 920
Virginia $18.60 $38,690 10,440
Washington $23.81 $49,530 7,600
West Virginia $16.93 $35,210 3,490
Wisconsin $18.74 $38,970 8,190
Wyoming $20.06 $41,730 590
Guam $14.60 $30,360 130
Puerto Rico $12.83 $26,680 5,520
Virgin Islands $18.49 $38,470 60

Pharmacy Technician Salary by City

Metro Area Avg Salary Avg Hourly Wage # Jobs
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA $41,780 $20.09 24,060
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI $41,970 $20.18 16,140
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $50,490 $24.28 14,230
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $39,420 $18.95 10,970
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $39,840 $19.16 10,830
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $38,130 $18.33 10,100
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ $42,620 $20.49 8,700
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $44,680 $21.48 8,470
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $38,320 $18.42 7,740
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $38,300 $18.42 6,660
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH $44,840 $21.56 6,550
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $37,820 $18.19 5,840
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $37,890 $18.22 5,840
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $43,260 $20.80 5,590
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $44,500 $21.39 4,930
St. Louis, MO-IL $37,730 $18.14 4,780
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $48,310 $23.22 4,200
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $51,940 $24.97 4,140
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA $62,140 $29.87 4,130
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $38,530 $18.52 4,070
Pittsburgh, PA $37,030 $17.80 3,920
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN $38,910 $18.71 3,810
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $40,050 $19.26 3,700
San Juan-Carolina-Caguas, PR $28,120 $13.52 3,550
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $38,620 $18.57 3,540
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV $41,650 $20.02 3,480
Cleveland-Elyria, OH $39,060 $18.78 3,380
Kansas City, MO-KS $39,690 $19.08 3,280
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $41,050 $19.73 3,250
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $37,420 $17.99 3,220
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA $50,780 $24.42 3,200
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO $44,820 $21.55 3,180
Columbus, OH $38,410 $18.47 2,970
Austin-Round Rock, TX $42,900 $20.62 2,840
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $48,580 $23.36 2,750
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $37,300 $17.93 2,660
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA $53,650 $25.80 2,590
Jacksonville, FL $38,910 $18.71 2,540
Memphis, TN-MS-AR $37,890 $18.22 2,490
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI $40,280 $19.37 2,490

Do Pharmacy Technicians Make Good Money?

For the amount of training required, pharmacy technicians earn a decent wage. While their salary is lower than the national average, pharmacy technician pay is comparable to other entry-level healthcare jobs

For example, medical assistants earn $37,190 per year, nursing assistants earn $30,290 per year, phlebotomists earn $37,380 per year, and dental assistants earn $44,820 per year. 

All of these comparable jobs require a high school diploma and either a certificate or on-the-job training. Accepting a job at a hospital in a high-paying city, earning a certificate, and getting some years of experience can all help you earn good money as a pharmacy technician. 

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Better Pharmacy Technician Salary

The highest-paid pharmacy technicians earn nearly $20,000 more per year than the lowest-paid ones. There are several things you can do to improve your chances of earning a higher salary as a pharmacy technician, including:

Get more certifications

Not all states require pharmacy technicians to receive special training or earn a certification. However, almost all employers will pay more for a certified pharmacy technician. 

In addition to earning a pharmacy technician certification, you can make yourself more valuable by taking a course on vaccine administration or even phlebotomy. 

Stay on top of the industry & learn about new technologies

In addition to earning more certifications, you can impress your boss and give yourself a better chance of getting a raise by keeping up with the latest technology and advancements in pharmacology. 

Rather than doing the bare minimum at work, help your team come up with ideas to be safer, more efficient, and save money. All of these things are sure to earn you some respect from your employer and hopefully - a larger paycheck. 

Ask your manager about opportunities for advancement

As you gain experience and knowledge, you may be able to ask your manager about opportunities for advancement. 

Many pharmacy technicians who do a good job can become shift managers or even manage the entire pharmacy staff. Management positions usually come with a significant pay raise.

Work the odd hours

While pharmacies are usually open during regular business hours, there are those that stay open all night, on weekends, and on holidays. Volunteering to work the night shifts, weekends, and holidays will usually come with some sort of pay differential. 

Stick with your job

As you gain more experience, you will almost certainly start to earn more money. Sticking with the same career for several years can help you earn thousands more each year. 

Advance your education

Many pharmacy technicians advance their education to eventually become pharmacists. While a doctor of pharmacy earns a lot more than a pharmacy technician, they have to complete about 6 years' worth of schooling, rather than a certificate. 

Weigh your options carefully to decide which choice is right for you. 

>> Read More: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician

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