Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists, assisting them in providing medication to patients. Their duties may include ordering, stocking, preparing, and packaging medications. Pharmacy technicians receive written or electronic prescriptions or refill requests and they field phone calls from physicians or patients about prescriptions. They verify the accuracy of information on the prescription and may prepare the medication by counting or measuring or mixing the drug. They also prepare prescription containers and labels.

The responsibilities of pharmacy technicians as well as the number of pharmacy technicians that a pharmacist can supervise vary by state. In New York, pharmacy technicians can assist pharmacists in filling prescriptions and a pharmacist can supervise up to two pharmacy technicians.

In general, pharmacy technicians perform higher level and more complicated tasks than pharmacy aides, although their roles frequently overlap and definitions for each may vary by state.

For more information about pharmacy technicians, go to: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm.

Where Do Pharmacy Technicians Work?

The majority of pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies, including chain and independent drug stores, and pharmacy departments within hospitals, grocery stores, department stores, and retail stores. A small number of pharmacy technicians work at mail-order or online pharmacies, clinics, and pharmaceutical wholesalers.

What Do Pharmacy Technicians Earn?

In 2022, the average annual income reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for pharmacy technicians in the United States was $40,260. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) reports that, in 2023, pharmacy technicians in New York earned a median annual salary of $38,326 (pharmacy technicians in the 25th percentile made approximately $34,157 while those in the 75th percentile made approximately $46,564).

Supply and Demand

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs for  in the U.S. will increase by 5% between 2021 and 2031. The New York State Department of Labor projects that the number of jobs for  in the state will increase by 28% between 2020 and 2030.

Increased demand for pharmacy technicians is attributed to their role in filling prescriptions. The growing number of older adults — who use more prescription drugs than younger people — will spur demand for pharmacy technicians. In addition, as scientific advances bring treatments for an increasing number of conditions, more pharmacy technicians will be needed to fill a growing number of prescriptions.

For more information on projections of pharmacy technicians by New York State labor regions click here.

New York Education and Licensure Requirements

Individuals interested in a career as a pharmacy technician should have a high school diploma.

Most pharmacy technicians are trained on the job, but employers favor applicants who have formal training, certification, or previous experience. Strong customer service skills also are important. Some pharmacy technicians attend postsecondary education programs offered at many community colleges and vocational schools and earn certificates. These education programs typically last one year or less and cover a variety of subjects, such as arithmetic used in pharmacies, recordkeeping, ways of dispensing medications, pharmacy law, and ethics. Pharmacy technicians may also learn the names, actions, uses, and doses of medications. Some pharmacy technicians may become supervisors, may move into specialty positions or into sales, or may study to become pharmacists.

Prospective pharmacy technicians with experience working as an aide in a community pharmacy or volunteering in a hospital may have an advantage. Employers also prefer applicants with experience managing inventories, counting tablets, measuring dosages, and using computers. In addition, a background in chemistry, English, and health education may be beneficial.

While pharmacy technicians in over half of the states are registered, licensed, or certified, there are no such requirements in New York. The New York State Office of Professions is considering a plan to regulate pharmacy technicians.

Education Programs in New York (subject to change)