Pharmacy Technician: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Pharmacy Technicians earn a national median of $43,460/yr with 6.4% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry, Mathematics.

Median Salary

$43,460

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

6.4%

About as fast as average

Employed Nationally

487,920

2024 data

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Pharmacy Technician

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Pharmacy Technician candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Active Listening 2 Reading Comprehension 3 Speaking 4 Critical Thinking 5 Active Learning 6 Monitoring 7 Social Perceptiveness 8 Service Orientation 9 Complex Problem Solving 10 Judgment and Decision Making

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Pharmacy Technician performance, based on verified occupational data.

Customer and Personal Service Medicine and Dentistry Mathematics English Language Computers and Electronics

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Pharmacy Technician roles.

MEDITECH software

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 6.4% for Pharmacy Technician roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
487,920
Projected Growth
6.4%
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Pharmacy Technician do?
Pharmacy Technicians apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry, Mathematics to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Critical Thinking.
How much does a Pharmacy Technician make?
The national median salary for a Pharmacy Technician is $43,460 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Pharmacy Technician a good career in 2026?
Employment for Pharmacy Technician roles is projected to grow 6.4% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 487,920 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Pharmacy Technician?
The typical entry-level education for a Pharmacy Technician is High school diploma or equivalent. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Pharmacy Technicians need?
The most important skills for Pharmacy Technician roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making. Key tools and technologies include: MEDITECH software.

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Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.