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.
Also called: Accredited Pharmacy Technician, Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), Chemotherapy Pharmacy Technician (Chemo Pharmacy Technician), Compounding Pharmacy Tech (Compounding Pharmacy Technician), Compounding Technician, Drug Coordinator
Median pay
$45,750
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$36,020 – $61,040
People employed
471,680
Holland code
CRS
Conventional · Realistic · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 2.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 3.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 4.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 5.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 6.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 7.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Pharmacy Technicians pay by state
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What pharmacy technicians do
- 01Receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate.
- 02Enter prescription information into computer databases.
- 03Establish or maintain patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual patients.
- 04Compute charges for medication or equipment dispensed to hospital patients and enter data in computer.
- 05Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
- 06Prepare and process medical insurance claim forms and records.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from pharmacy technicians
- Medical Assistants87% · 0%
- Phlebotomists84% · −1%
- Pharmacy Aides83% · −18%
- Dental Assistants79% · +5%
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants78% · 0%
Change into pharmacy technicians
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Pharmacy Aides86% · $37,680
- Medical Transcriptionists81% · $40,410
- Medical Assistants77% · $45,690
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants76% · $45,930
- Dental Assistants75% · $48,070
Majors that lead here
- Pharmacy Technician/Assistant
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.