CFChooseField
Healthcare

Pharmacy Technicians

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Pharmacy Technicians
Download graphic

Median pay

$43,460
Median annual pay for Pharmacy Technicians.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

6.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

49,000
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

490,400
Estimated U.S. employment for Pharmacy Technicians in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

+31,500
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Reading Comprehension
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Monitoring

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Medicine and Dentistry
  3. 3Mathematics
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Computers and Electronics
  6. 6Law and Government

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Oral Expression
  4. 4Written Comprehension
  5. 5Speech Recognition
  6. 6Information Ordering

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Integrity
  5. 5Cooperation
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Getting Information
  2. 2Working with Computers
  3. 3Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  4. 4Processing Information
  5. 5Documenting/Recording Information
  6. 6Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Work context

  1. 1Telephone Conversations
  2. 2Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  3. 3Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5E-Mail
  6. 6Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Representative 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft PowerPoint · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMozilla Firefox · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Edge · hot technologyApple Safari · hot technologyMEDITECH software · hot technologyMedical condition coding softwarePrescription processing softwareLabel-making software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.