Health Technologists and Technicians

How to become a Pharmacy Technician

Official title: Pharmacy Technicians

Also called: Accredited Pharmacy Technician, Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), Chemotherapy Pharmacy Technician (Chemo Pharmacy Technician), Compounding Technician, OR Pharmacy Tech (Operating Room Pharmacy Tech), RPhT (Registered Pharmacy Technician)

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.

Main tasks

Receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate.
Enter prescription information into computer databases.
Establish or maintain patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual patients.
Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
Receive and store incoming supplies, verify quantities against invoices, check for outdated medications in current inventory, and inform supervisors of stock needs and shortages.
Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests.
Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.
Operate cash registers to accept payment from customers.

How to become one

Pharmacy technicians typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and learn their duties through on-the-job training, or they may complete a postsecondary education program in pharmacy technology. Most states regulate pharmacy technicians, which is a process that may require passing an exam or completing a formal education or training program.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Pharmacist Assistant (Alternate Title: Pharmacy Technician).
Licence: A licence is required in 40 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $45,750 a year The middle half earn $37,850 to $49,990.
About 471,200 people work in this job now, and about 501,300 are projected by 2035. (+6.4%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Pharmacy Technician?

How much does a Pharmacy Technician earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $45,750 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $37,850 to $49,990.

Is a Pharmacy Technician a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 471,200 to about 501,300 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

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: Pharmacist Assistant (Alternate Title: Pharmacy Technician).

Will AI change the work of a Pharmacy Technician?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.