Pharmacy Technicians Career, Salary and Skills
Pharmacy Technicians have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $45,750 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 471,680. Wage data is published for 447 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
29-2052.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
Post-Secondary Certificate
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$45,750
Hourly median
$22.00
Employment
471,680
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.75 | 3.62 |
| Speaking | 3.75 | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.25 | 3.62 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Active Learning | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Service Orientation | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.12 | 3.00 |
Typical 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.
- Receive and store incoming supplies, verify quantities against invoices, check for outdated medications in current inventory, and inform supervisors of stock needs and shortages.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.
- Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
Technology
- Apple Safari
- Billing and reimbursement software
- Compounder software
- Database software
- Drug compatibility software
- Label-making software
- Medical condition coding software
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Edge
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Pharmacy Technicians salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Pharmacy Technicians Salary in TXMedian $45,900 · Employment 41,740
- Pharmacy Technicians Salary in CAMedian $55,110 · Employment 39,860
- Pharmacy Technicians Salary in FLMedian $43,590 · Employment 38,460
- Pharmacy Technicians Salary in New York, NYMedian $44,640 · Employment 25,420
- Pharmacy Technicians Salary in NYMedian $43,930 · Employment 24,400
- Pharmacy Technicians Salary in ILMedian $46,650 · Employment 21,340
- Pharmacy Technicians Salary in PAMedian $40,040 · Employment 18,880
- Pharmacy Technicians Salary in OHMedian $40,650 · Employment 17,820
- Pharmacy Technicians Salary in NCMedian $44,530 · Employment 17,260
- Pharmacy Technicians Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $46,820 · Employment 15,830
- Pharmacy Technicians Salary in GAMedian $41,910 · Employment 14,680
- Pharmacy Technicians Salary in MIMedian $44,340 · Employment 14,240
Related careers
- Medical and Health Services ManagersNational median $123,860
- Ophthalmic Medical TechniciansNational median $45,570
- Dental AssistantsNational median $48,070
- Surgical AssistantsNational median $66,800
- Anesthesiologist AssistantsNational median $135,880
- Cardiovascular Technologists and TechniciansNational median $74,310
- Medical Equipment PreparersNational median $47,700
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory TechnologistsNational median not published
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.