Pharmacy Technicians

From the U.S. Department of Labor:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the estimated mean annual wage for Pharmacy Technicians as of May 2008 is, $28,500. This would amount to $13.70 per hour. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.95 and $15.88. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.27, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $18.98.

More input from Answers.com contributors:

• Pharmacy techs are paid very poorly during their early years of employment. It's up to the pharmacist to how high or low your pay cheque will be. They have the monopoly over the techs. On the Early stages techs receive $25 000- $35 000. Once you have seniority (10 years of experience!) you will make around $40 000 yearly. * According to the American Medical Association, the average starting salary for pharmacy technicians is $19,000. The wages vary by industry and level of experience

• The salary per year for a pharmacy technician is about $10.00 to $17.00 per hour. The median expected salary for a typical Pharmacy Technician I in the United States is $24,954.

• Ask someone at the reference desk of your local public library for the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It lists all kinds of information you would need to know,(including the salary) of just about any occupation you can think of.

• I don't know how much pharmacy techs make in Florida, but I live in North Carolina and I am a pharmacy tech. I make $10.00 and hour because I am not yet certified. Once I am certified I'm sure it will be a lot more.

• I just got hired at a place in Ohio.... and they are starting me off at $9.50 an hour. and I'm not even certified yet.

• As i understand it Utah and 1 other state are the only states that REQUIRE a certification course with internship hours and state testing before you ever start working in a pharmacy... this may make these 2 states pay more... according to my OWATC class in Utah the starting pay is about 12.00/hour but i have heard of people starting as high as 15 or 16 per hour... any thoughts?

• Earnings of $20-40 dollars an hour are extremely rare, especially within the domain of retail pharmacy chains, where most prescriptions are filled, giving these chains dominance in the pharmacy marketplace and, in turn, creating a large repository of pharmacy technician jobs. Those who make within the range posted for the aforementioned answer are usually pharmacy interns, not technicians.

• What I have encountered among my colleagues while being a pharmacy technician for a large pharmacy retail chain, a pharmacy technician could earn anywhere between $7.00 and $20.00 per hour, depending on years of experience, pharmacy technician certifications (certifications from the federal government and state of residence in the US), and any formal education gearing one towards pharmacy technician practices and procedures (e.g. strong mathematical and algebraic skills are required. However, having some knowledge in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, pathology, and psychiatry/psychology are helpful, but not required). Further, having strong customer service skills, being able to learn by example, and possessing lots of patience are a must for this job.

• I get paid $15.00/hour at CVS.

• I was just RAISED to $7.55/hour after 6 months of employment

• I make $8.27/hour at CVS in New England. I have 2 years experience (at CVS) and am certified in my state. I am also attending the pharmacy school in the fall. As I have found, the pay rate depends on the district manager, especially in large, retail pharmacies.

• I make $18/ph and have a travel allowance of about $35/pweek-I thought this was pretty low, maybe not! I have only just fully qualified last month (Wellington, NZ)

• I work in hospital pharmacy in Washington State and make $ 19.45 an hour. This is with 9 years of experience. Our hourly rate ranges from $ 15.50 - $ 23.50 per hour. We are required to be licensed and some of us are Nationally certified as well. Our hospital does not recognize national certification as a reason to pay higher wages, but many retail sites in our area do.

• I am a pharmacy technician for Kroger Pharmacy in GA and I make $7.50 an hour starting out, but that is because I have customer service experience. Everyone else stats out at $7.00. We get raises and I know in one year you get a .50 cent raise so that would put me at $8.00 an hour without certification. With certification with each level it is a .75 cent raise until you get national certification and then I am not sure what it is.

• I am employed in California not certified and make $21 an hour with 3 years experience. I work inpatient which pays a lot more than retail from the looks of things. I would never work retail, you don't get to put your skills to use.

• CANADA - I work in a CANADIAN hospital. I am a Certified Pharmacy tech and I make $25.77/hour. Retails pharmacies in this area (Ontario) vary according to managers designated payscales however it ranges from about $10-$20/hour. There are many changes happening with Pharmacy Technicians in Canada and we are currenly going through a Regulatory Process. One can only assume that our payscale will rise after this in place.

• I am a certified and state licensed tech in Texas, I started at $9.50 while not certified, I was bumped to $12.00/hr when certified, and am now making $13.50 with about a year of experience. I work at a major drugstore chain. Senior techs at our store get paid according to profits and get bonuses. Minimum for a senior tech is $16.00 an hour here, and with profit sharing goes as high as $21 an hour, and senior techs make a bonus that's about 35% of the pharmacy manager's bonus, if this is a busy 24 hour location, it can sometimes be a bonus in excess of $10,000 before taxes. Don't work at a big box store (wal mart, kroger, target) as they pay much less. Drugstores, hospitals are best.

• I work at Rite Aide as a pharmacy tech and get paid minimum wage ($7.25/hr). I'm not certified yet, but once I am I'll be getting paid an extra dollar. This job is a lot of work and the worst part about it is dealing with rude customers. It's definitely not a job worth doing for minimum wage. It could be that Rite Aide is just a horrible company to work for.

• I am employed in Texas as well but, I am at a big-box retailer and the horror stories are true. I am a certified and licensed (registered) C.ph.t and I have been with the company for 10 years in my position. I have been the lead technician for 6 of those years. I am making only 14.95 per hour and I am no longer eligible for raises and we do not get bonuses or any other incentive pay. I am the only full time pharm tech at my store and it is a hassle to get declared as full time. If you are not full time the max rate of pay is around 13.50. Do not work at a major non pharmacy retailer such as Target, Kroger, or Wal-Mart if you are looking for a career. The focus is on sales alone and you are basically treated as a cashier.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the estimated mean annual wage for Pharmacy Technicians as of May 2008 is, $28,500. This would amount to $13.70 per hour. Median hourly wages of wage and salary pharmacy technicians in May 2008 were $13.32. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.95 and $15.88. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.27, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $18.98.

There are also other factors that determine the salary of a pharmacy technician. For one is the location (state) where you will be working. There are states that pay more. Another is the size and type of the company, and the credentials (certification and years of experience) that the applicant present to the employer.

The median expected salary for a typical Pharmacy Technician in the United States is $24,839.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the estimated mean annual wage for Pharmacy Technicians as of May 2008 is, $28,500. This would amount to $13.70 per hour. Median hourly wages of wage and salary pharmacy technicians in May 2008 were $13.32. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.95 and $15.88. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.27, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $18.98.

The following is written by and according to the U.S. Department of Labor and particular to the education and training required for pharmacists.

A license is required in all States and the District of Columbia, as well as in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In order to obtain a license, pharmacists generally must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from a college of pharmacy and pass several examinations.

Education and training. Pharmacists who are trained in the United States must earn a Pharm.D. degree from an accredited college or school of pharmacy. The Pharm.D. degree has replaced the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, which is no longer being awarded. To be admitted to a Pharm.D. program, an applicant must have completed at least 2 years of specific professional study. This requirement generally includes courses in mathematics and natural sciences, such as chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences. In addition, most applicants have completed 3 or more years at a college or university before moving on to a Pharm.D. program, although this is not specifically required.

Pharm.D. programs generally take 4 years to complete. The courses offered are designed to teach students about all aspects of drug therapy. In addition, students learn how to communicate with patients and other healthcare providers about drug information and patient care. Students also learn professional ethics, concepts of public health, and business management. In addition to receiving classroom instruction, students in Pharm.D. programs spend time working with licensed pharmacists in a variety of practice settings.

Some Pharm.D. graduates obtain further training through 1-year or 2-year residency programs or fellowships. Pharmacy residencies are postgraduate training programs in pharmacy practice and usually require the completion of a research project. The programs are often mandatory for pharmacists who wish to work in a clinical setting. Pharmacy fellowships are highly individualized programs that are designed to prepare participants to work in a specialized area of pharmacy, such clinical practice or research laboratories. Some pharmacists who own their own pharmacy obtain a master's degree in business administration (MBA). Others may obtain a degree in public administration or public health.

Licensure. A license to practice pharmacy is required in all States and the District of Columbia, as well as in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To obtain a license, a prospective pharmacist generally must obtain a Pharm.D. degree from a college of pharmacy that has been approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. After obtaining the Pharm.D. degree, the individual must pass a series of examinations. All States, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia require the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX), which tests pharmacy skills and knowledge. Forty-four States and the District of Columbia also require the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE), which tests pharmacy law. Both exams are administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). Each of the eight States and territories that do not require the MJPE has its own pharmacy law exam. Besides requiring the NAPLEX and law examination, some States and territories require additional exams that are unique to their jurisdictions. All jurisdictions also require a specified number of hours of experience in a practice setting before a license is awarded. In most jurisdictions, this requirement can be met while obtaining the Pharm.D. In many States, applicants must meet an age requirement before a license can be obtained, and some States require a criminal background check.

All States and U.S. territories except Puerto Rico permit licensure for graduates of foreign pharmacy schools. These individuals must apply for certification from the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC). Once certified, they must pass the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam, and Test of Spoken English (TSE) exam. Then they must pass all of the exams required by the licensing jurisdiction, such as the NAPLEX and MJPE, and meet the requirements for practical experience. In some States, applicants who graduated from programs accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) between 1993 and 2004 are exempt from FPGEC certification and examination requirements.

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated directly below this answer section.

The following is written by and according to the U.S. Department of Labor and particular to the education and training required for Pharmacy technicians and aids.

There are no standard training requirements for pharmacy technicians, but some States require a high school diploma or its equivalent. Although most pharmacy technicians receive informal on-the-job training, employers favor those who have completed formal training and certification. On-the-job training generally ranges between 3 and 12 months.

Formal technician education programs are available through a variety of organizations, including community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals, and the military. These programs range from 6 months to 2 years and include classroom and laboratory work. They cover a variety of subject areas, such as medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy recordkeeping, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics. Technicians also are required to learn the names, actions, uses, and doses of the medications they work with. Many training programs include internships, in which students gain hands-on experience in actual pharmacies. After completion, students receive a diploma, a certificate, or an associate's degree, depending on the program.

There are no formal education requirements for pharmacy aides, but employers may favor applicants with a high school diploma or its equivalent. Experience operating a cash register, interacting with customers, managing inventory, and using computers may be helpful. Pharmacy aides also receive informal on-the-job training that generally lasts less than 3 months.

Certification and other qualifications. In most States, pharmacy technicians must be registered with the State board of pharmacy. Eligibility requirements vary, but in some States applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and pay an application fee.

The good news for those interested in getting into this industry is that they wouldn't have to have a hard time searching for schools or training centers offering training programs for this as there are now tons of online providers distributing online pharmacy technician courses that is accredited and approved by state boards.

Most States do not require technicians to be certified, but voluntary certification is available through several private organizations. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) administer national certification examinations. Certification through such programs may enhance an applicant's prospects for employment and is required by some States and employers. To be eligible for either exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and no felony convictions of any kind. In addition, applicants for the PTCB exam must not have had any drug-related or pharmacy-related convictions, including misdemeanors. Many employers will reimburse the cost of the exams.

Under these programs, technicians must be recertified every 2 years. Recertification requires 20 hours of continuing education within the 2-year certification period. Continuing education hours can be earned from several different sources, including colleges, pharmacy associations, and pharmacy technician training programs. Up to 10 hours of continuing education also can be earned on the job under the direct supervision and instruction of a pharmacist.

Good customer service and communication skills are needed because pharmacy technicians and aides interact with patients, coworkers, and healthcare professionals. Basic mathematics, spelling, and reading skills also are important, as technicians must interpret prescription orders and verify drug doses. Technicians also must be precise: details are sometimes a matter of life and death.

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated directly below this answer section.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pharmacist salary was $106,410 in 2008. The highest 10 percent of pharmacists earned $131,440 a year.

Additional input from WikiAnswers contributors:

• The earnings of a pharmacist depends upon location and experience. A new graduate would earn more money on the West Coast of the United States. An experienced pharmacist could earn anywhere from $50USD per hour to as much as $75 per hour as a full time employee. Per diem and part-time rates may be a bit higher. A contracted employee may also earn $60-$80USD because the position isn't permanent. On the east coast, a brand new graduate can expect to make $50USD per hour ($104,000 per year) their first year. This doesn't include a sign on bonus or shift differentials.

• As a pharmacist, retail and mail order pay higher rates than a hospital pharmacist, but a hospital pharmacist has the broadest range of skills and the most opportunity for growth and advancement. A hospital pharmacist, once properly trained, can enter any arena of pharmacy-especially if they have a residency, or a specialty in a particular field. This is not necessarily true of the retail or mail order pharmacist. Ideally, an experienced hospital pharmacist with a proven track record can earn anywhere from $120,000USD to $170,000USD.

• As a UK pharmacist community locums can get around £23 - £25 per hour for a typical shift, i.e. not emmergency booking or unsociable hours. Typical employee community pharmacist in the UK can expect anywhere from £17 to £24 per hour for non-managerial roles. Pharmacist managers get higher rates for the addtional responsibility.