How much does a pharmacy technician make?

In the United States, experience and certification can help technicians qualify for different roles. Pay also varies by state and workplace—such as a hospital versus a retail pharmacy—and may reflect specialized duties and whether someone works part time or nights and weekends.

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.

What's a typical day like?

They enter prescriptions and insurance details, then count or measure, package, and label medicine. They answer calls, track supplies, and send medicine questions to a pharmacist, who checks prescriptions.

After high school or equivalent, people learn on the job or finish a pharmacy-tech program; states may set a minimum age. PTCB certification requires a recognized program or 500 work hours and passing an exam; check state rules.

Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)

Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing.

In many U.S. states, trained pharmacy technicians can give vaccines under a pharmacist’s supervision—not just count pills.