Medical technologists and technicians

How to become a pharmacy technician

Official title: Pharmacy technicians

Also called: Pharmacy technician, Pharmaceutical technician, Senior pharmacy technician, Certified pharmacy technician, Regulated pharmacy technician, Pharmacy technician supervisor, Registered pharmacy technician

Pharmacy technicians perform technical functions relating to prescriptions including gathering patients' information, product preparation, product distribution and inventory control. They work closely with pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care to clients. Pharmacy technicians are employed in retail and hospital pharmacies, long-term care facilities and by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Pharmacy technicians who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

Main tasks

Assist pharmacists to maintain inventories of medications and prescription records of pharmaceutical products
Assess prescriptions for completeness and ensure information is accurate
Gather and enter client information in databases and prepare medications for clients in collaboration with pharmacists
Compound pharmaceutical products such as intravenous injections, oral solutions, ointments and creams
Process payment of prescriptions and other pharmacy services including direct billing to third party insurers
Provide instructions on how to use health aids, and medical devices such as drug administration devices and monitoring devices
May help with scheduling and workflow

How to become one

Pharmacy technicians usually require a two-year pharmacy technician college program or completion of a two- to three-year college program in pharmaceutics and supervised practical training. Completion of the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) certification exams is required for pharmacy technicians. Registration with a regulatory body is required for pharmacy technicians in all provinces except Quebec.

See the full NOC 2021 profile

Ways in

College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 50% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Allied health and medical assisting services; Pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences and administration; Biology, general.
Licence or registration: Registration with a regulatory body is required for pharmacy technicians in all provinces except Quebec.

Pay · Outlook

Median pay: $48,419 a year The middle half earn $39,000 to $58,520.
About 32,600 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 39,000 are projected by 2033. (+19.6%)
Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.

Questions people ask

How do I become a pharmacy technician?

How much does a pharmacy technician earn in Canada?

Median full-time pay is $48,419 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $39,000 to $58,520.

Is a pharmacy technician a growing career in Canada?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 20% by 2033, from about 32,600 to about 39,000 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).

Do you need a degree to become a pharmacy technician?

Usually not. Only 20% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.

Sources

Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03