Pharmacy Technician Salary  | As a new graduate, you'll start with an entry-level pharmacy technician salary. This is typical of virtually any field—most entry-level workers are offered entry-level wages for their first jobs. The good news about pharmacy technician salaries is that they have the potential to increase dramatically as you gain experience. | The chart below shows how experience affects the average pharmacy technician salary*: | Job Title | Experience | Middle 50 Percent | Top 10 Percent | | Entry Level Pharmacy Technician | 0 – 3 years | $27,117 – $33,667 | $36,743+ | | Intermediate Pharmacy Technician | 4+ years | $31,534 – $39,292 | $42,956+ | | Pharmacy Technician Supervisor | 6+ years | $41,306 – $53,138 | $59,518+ |  Factors that Affect Pharmacy Technician Salaries There are many factors that affect your pharmacy technician salary—not just experience. The following things play a role in determining your pharmacy tech salary range: Education level – Having a higher level of education may make you a more attractive job candidate, help you advance quicker, and help you boost your pharmacy technician salary. Certification – Depending on your employer, pharmacy technician certification may trump education level in qualifying you for a higher pharmacy tech salary. Certification assures employers that your skills and knowledge meet high standards for professional practice in the field, and your pharmacy technician salary will likely reflect this. Geographic location – Where you live plays a part in determining your pharmacy tech salary. Employers in your area may pay more or less than the average salary for a pharmacy technician due to the local economy and the cost of living in your city or town. Type of employer – If you work at a hospital or a large retail chain, they are often able to pay larger pharmacy technician salaries than smaller independent pharmacies. Pharmacy Technician Salary Benefits As you consider your employment options, remember that your pharmacy technician salary includes more than just your paycheck. Many pharmacy technician career opportunities include attractive benefits packages for full-time workers. Full-time pharmacy technicians customarily receive some or all of the following benefits in addition to their pharmacy tech salary: - Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
- Paid sick leave
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Health benefits
In addition, employers often reimburse continuing education tuition, so you can maintain your pharmacy technician certification status for free. When combined with your base pay, all these benefits can add up to a very attractive compensation package.
*From May 2009 HR data as reported by Salary.com
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