What Pharmacy Technicians do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Pharmacy Technicians this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate"; "Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs"; "Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests"; "Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information"; "Price and file prescriptions that have been filled".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Pharmacy Technicians
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 471,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 501,300 in 2035, an increase of 30,100 jobs (+6.4%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 44,700 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $45,750, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Pharmacy Technicians earn the most
Across the 12 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $41,588 in Pennsylvania to $54,355 in California, a gap of $12,768 (1.31 times). 2 of those 12 states average above the BLS national median of $45,750 and 10 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 41,020, which is 12.6% of the 324,570 counted across them. California follows with 38,640.
Highest-paying states
California ($54,355), Arizona ($47,580) and Illinois ($45,519) lead the ranking, while Pennsylvania ($41,588) and Georgia ($42,757) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Pharmacy Technicians: pay against the cost of living
We compare 14 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $17,478. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $4,739 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 13 of the 14 markets and falls short in 1. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 36.8% and 90.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Pharmacy Technicians
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-2000) include Radiologic Technologists and Technicians, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians and Medical Records Specialists.
Frequently asked questions about Pharmacy Technicians
How much do Pharmacy Technicians earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $45,750. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $41,588 to $54,355.
Which state pays Pharmacy Technicians the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $54,355. Arizona is next at $47,580.
Is Pharmacy Technicians a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 6.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 44,700 openings a year.
What education do Pharmacy Technicians need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Pharmacy Technicians afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $17,478 on a median wage of $46,820.