How much does a pharmacy aide make?
Answer: A typical pharmacy aide in the United States makes $37,680 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 40,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Pharmacy aide pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $29,820 | $37,680 | $56,010 | about 40,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $45,110 | about 2,000 |
| Arizona | $43,360 | about 810 |
| California | $42,200 | about 8,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,470 | about 1,000 |
| Texas | $38,630 | about 3,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pharmacy aides’ pay can vary with experience and useful skills, the employer and duties, and the city or state. BLS data show that pay differs across pharmacy work settings and locations.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a pharmacy aide do?
Record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform the supervisor of stock needs. May operate cash register and accept prescriptions for filling.
What's a typical day like?
They greet customers, answer calls, take prescription information, ring up purchases, and help people find items. They also unpack deliveries, check stock and expiration dates, restock shelves, and keep the pharmacy area clean.
How to get this job
In the US, pharmacy aides usually have a high school diploma or GED and learn the job through on-the-job training. State rules differ for tasks that overlap with pharmacy-technician work, so check your state board’s requirements.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling.
Did you know?
Some pharmacy deliveries need special handling or refrigeration, so aides may unpack and sort items that must be kept cold.
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Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Healthcare Support jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9095.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/31-9095.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes319095.htm
- www.pharmacy.ca.gov/meetings/agendas/2024/24_apr_bd_mat_xiii.pdf
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY