Pharmacy Technicians

Overview

Pharmacy Technicians has a national median salary of $45,750 per year, with +6.4% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this 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.

Work Values

• Relationships
• Support
• Achievement

Work Styles

Responsibilities

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.
• Compute charges for medication or equipment dispensed to hospital patients and enter data in computer.
• Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Working with Computers
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Processing Information
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Detailed Work Activities

• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Pharmacy Technicians:

Video Resources