Are you thinking about a career in healthcare but you’re not sure what path to take? A Pharmacy Technician offers an excellent entry point into the medical field with clear advancement opportunities. As a pharmacy technician, you'll work alongside pharmacists to ensure patients receive the right medications and handling administrative tasks that keep the pharmacy running smoothly. With average annual salary reaching approximately $44,800 nationwide (2024) and varying compensation across different states, this growing profession balances patient interaction, reasonable certification requirements, and competitive pay—making it an attractive option for those entering the healthcare workforce and looking for pharmacy technician jobs.
Start by exploring the chart below to learn how much a pharmacy technician makes in your area.
State
Median Salary
Bottom 10% Salary
Top 10% Salary
Alabama
$36,190
$28,810
$46,510
Arizona
$45,260
$35,630
$57,240
Arkansas
$36,240
$29,460
$47,050
California
$49,880
$38,370
$77,600
Colorado
$46,840
$37,030
$58,840
Connecticut
$39,130
$35,160
$57,060
Delaware
$39,530
$34,320
$50,190
District of Columbia
$46,520
$39,260
$70,490
Florida
$38,560
$33,800
$49,500
Georgia
$37,920
$30,130
$49,710
Hawaii
$44,600
$35,040
$59,450
Idaho
$43,980
$35,820
$54,300
Illinois
$39,940
$34,500
$52,710
Indiana
$38,690
$34,580
$48,040
Iowa
$39,290
$32,390
$48,830
Kansas
$37,960
$29,920
$50,230
Kentucky
$37,100
$29,420
$48,850
Louisiana
$37,670
$30,550
$47,260
Maine
$37,550
$31,990
$50,860
Maryland
$38,990
$34,760
$54,140
Massachusetts
$45,220
$36,280
$64,210
Michigan
$39,210
$30,740
$50,070
Minnesota
$47,100
$37,480
$58,860
Mississippi
$37,630
$29,810
$46,130
Missouri
$37,300
$30,060
$50,890
Montana
$43,050
$36,400
$52,960
Nebraska
$38,400
$32,060
$47,900
Nevada
$44,860
$35,330
$59,530
New Hampshire
$39,160
$31,360
$56,540
New Jersey
$38,380
$31,440
$54,590
New Mexico
$42,010
$34,250
$54,370
New York
$42,000
$35,030
$58,590
North Carolina
$38,710
$32,620
$49,970
North Dakota
$47,540
$37,020
$56,270
Ohio
$38,290
$31,000
$50,750
Oklahoma
$36,330
$29,650
$46,230
Oregon
$48,650
$37,950
$62,980
Pennsylvania
$36,910
$29,800
$48,630
Rhode Island
$36,480
$35,360
$53,060
South Carolina
$37,960
$31,080
$49,060
South Dakota
$39,480
$34,380
$49,250
Tennessee
$37,380
$29,900
$47,710
Texas
$41,990
$34,160
$51,920
Utah
$46,010
$36,400
$56,290
Vermont
$37,830
$35,820
$51,620
Virginia
$39,800
$31,610
$52,340
Washington
$53,070
$39,800
$67,640
West Virginia
$37,090
$29,130
$48,060
Wisconsin
$39,360
$31,410
$51,370
Wyoming
$44,490
$30,780
$51,890
Besides location, a pharmacy technician salary level depends on a variety of factors that you have more control over.
Pharmacy Tech Pay Depends on Many Factors
As with all careers in every industry, different people get paid varying amounts. When you decide to pursue pharmacy technician jobs, keep these factors in mind.
Geographic Location
The state chart above shows the differences in geographic salary amounts quite clearly. Someone in a big city in New York will always earn more than someone working in rural Alabama, for example. However, most people can’t pick up and move to a new state just for the opportunity to earn $5000 more each year.
Instead of focusing on the state alone, consider regions within your area. City locations often pay more than small towns. The type of facility you work at also affects pharmacy tech salary.
Employer Types Affect Pharmacy Tech Pay
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about pharmacies often relates to the back counters in places where customers come to fulfill their doctor-ordered prescriptions. These are just one example of the many places where pharmacy technicians work. Consider these salary averages when filling out job applications.
· Outpatient Care Centers - $61,000
· Psychiatric and substance abuse - $57,220
· Research and development - $56,450
· Government (not schools or hospitals) - $55,450
· Hospitals and surgical clinics - $49,810
· Retail store pharmacies - $44,770
Of course, specific locations in your area can offer pharmaceutical salary levels much lower or higher than these numbers. Much of it depends on the demand to fill career positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California, Texas, New York, and Illinois have the highest needs for new pharmacy techs.
Education Matters for a Pharmacist Technician Salary
In some areas, you can start on this career path with only a high school diploma or GED. However, certification, licensing, and advanced degrees are usually required. They also open the doors to many other job opportunities and increase earning potential.
There are three paths you can take: on-the-job training from the employer, certification programs from healthcare or tech-specific schools, or associates degrees from colleges or universities. The most common path awards you a Certified Pharmacy Technician certificate (CPhT). Additional education can get you a Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Tech, Advanced CphT, Medication History, Technician Product Verification, or Hazardous Drug Management, and Billing and Reimbursement certificates, too.
How Much Do Pharmacy Techs Make Compared to Other Healthcare Jobs?
If you’re at the start of your career planning process or looking for a new direction to increase job outlook and salary potential, you may consider multiple paths in the healthcare industry. These all require a passion for helping people feel good and live their best lives, and there are many factors to consider.
How hands on do you want to be with patients? Are you more interested in patient care or technical aspects of medicine? What type of setting would you like to work in?
One of the biggest questions comes down to earning potential. Of course, physicians and pharmacists earn much more than most nurses and technicians. They require a lot more expensive education and experience, too. A pharmacy technician’s salary falls near the mid-range of support staff.
· Clinical Lab Techs - $60,780
· Medical Records - $48,780
· Pharmacy Techs - $44,800
· Admin Assistants - $40,640
· Nursing Assistant - $38,200
The more specialized your role, the more earning potential you have. This primarily depends on how many certifications you have out of those listed above and whether you have unique experience in the field. You can always start out as a pharmacy tech assistant in a general retail store and take online or evening classes to expand your skills at the same time. This is a smart move for an upwardly mobile job path.
What Is the Job Outlook for Pharmacy Techs?
Due to the increasing size of the senior population and other factors, the career outlook for pharmacy technicians will grow throughout the next decade. The BLS estimates at least a 7% growth rate through 2033. The number of older people, combined with an increasing prevalence of chronic health problems, means a bigger need for prescription medications. This means that every pharmacy, hospital, clinic, and other location will need more pharmacists and techs to help. In the next decade, the country is expected to need nearly 500,000 pharmacy technicians in total.
In the end, figuring out the answer to the important question, ‘How much does a pharmacy tech make?’ can help you decide on the best career path to take. If you’re interested in the healthcare and medical industries, many different options exist. Depending on location, employer type, and your level of education and training, a job as a pharmacy technician can provide a comfortable annual salary anywhere in the United States.