Pharmacy Technician Career

Why Choose a Pharmacy Technician Career?

Job prospects for those interested in a pharmacy technician career are expected to increase in the future, reflecting the rapid growth in the healthcare industry due to a population that is increasing in number as well as climbing in age. In turn, the number of prescriptions ordered by physicians will rise as the number of middle-aged and elderly patients increases.

The pharmacy technician career offers the opportunity to work in a variety of pharmacy settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, independently owned pharmacies, drugstore chains, grocery stores, mass retailers, Internet pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, physicians’ offices, correctional institutions and pharmaceutical wholesalers.

Employment Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians

The pharmacy technician career is a growing field with great employment prospects for accurate and efficient workers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of pharmacy technicians employed in the United States is expected to grow up to 31% by 2018. (U.S. Dept. of Labor Statistics, 2010 – 2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook)

What You Can Earn Working in a Pharmacy Technician Career

The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics lists the middle 50 percent of pharmacy technicians earning up to $33,030. The top 10% of pharmacy technicians earned more than $39,478. As with many careers, the earning potential of those in the pharmacy technician career varies depending on factors such as experience, skills, and geographic location. Working for a general medical or surgical hospital results in higher average earnings.

(U.S. Dept. of Labor Statistics, 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook)