According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average Pharmacy Tech salary is $28,500 paid annually. Looking at the chart, clearly it’s possible to make much more depending on the industry chosen. For example, the annual mean wage for Pharmacy Technicians working in dental offices is $43,930. This is 54 percent higher than the annual mean wage for all those employed in this particular health care occupation.
Many of the highest paid Pharmacy Technicians across all the industries work in areas of research and diagnostic laboratories. Pharmacy Technician pay at the low end of the range goes to those who work in retail stores. Hourly Pharmacy Tech pay rates are widely dispersed and range between $9.27 per hour for the lowest-paid 10% to $18.98 per hour for the highest-paid 10%.
This chart displays annual mean salaries for Pharmacy Technicians in the U.S. The data was collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics OES - May 2008.
The job opportunities for Pharmacy Technicians are projected to be excellent with an additional 99,800 employed between the years 2008-2018. This is a 31% increase in total number employed. This number is much likely to be even higher with the passage of the health care legislation that will add millions to the insurance rolls. In addition, an aging population will also lead to an increased need for Pharmacy Technicians because senior citizens use more drugs than other age groups.
Many of the Pharmacy Technicians who are commanding higher salaries have some education beyond high school or an associate’s degree. Thepay range for Pharmacy Technicians is also determined by the type of certifications held such as those conferred by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians.
Related Charts for Pharmacy Technician Salaries:
Pharmacy Technician Pay Scale - All Industries
Pharmacy Technician Salaries - Top Paying Metropolitan Areas
Pharmacy Technician Salary Ranges - Top Paying Industries
The bar graph above shows mean salary ranges for the top pharmacy technician industries. You may see the data in table format below:
Industry | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|
Offices of Dentists | 43,930 |
Scientific Research | 37,850 |
Federal Executive Branch | 37,490 |
Medical & Diagnostic Labs | 36,920 |
Grantmaking Services | 35,790 |
State salaries are often dependent on overall population needs and the cost of living. Since these are average (mean) salary ranges, you can gain a higher salary with more education and skills. Your exact background will play a role in your income.
