Pharmacy Technician Career Center
What is a pharmacy technician?
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Simply put, pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists fill prescriptions. A qualified pharmacy technician needs to know much more than how to count medication. As their role expands, career opportunities increase. The future for pharmacy technicians is very strong. Now is an excellent time to become a pharmacy technician. Use our Pharmacy Technician Career Center to learn how to become a pharmacy technician. Explore this solid health care career with our in-depth resources on: Interview With A Pharmacy TechnicianRandy Brown has over a decade of experience as a pharmacy technician and a teacher. He gives you the everyday ins-and-outs of the job. Hear what else Randy has to say about being a pharmacy techncian... Pharmacy Technician Career OutlookThe need for pharmacy technicians is increasing. Retailers are expanding their pharmaceutical services, and scientific advancements continue. Read more about your pharmacy technician career. Pharmacy Technician WorkplaceMany pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies, like the ones at your local drug stores. Others fill prescriptions in hospitals, work in wholesale and online pharmacies, or with government organizations. Read more about where pharmacy technicians work. Pharmacy Technician TrainingThere are currently no state or federal regulations governing training programs, but employers favor pharmacy technicians who have received certificates or associate's degrees from community or technical colleges. Choose a pharmacy technician program that provides in-depth training that can increase your salary and career options. Most programs take less than a year to complete. Shorter programs may not give you enough training to pass the certification exam. Read more about finding the best pharmacy technician schools. Pharmacy Technician CertificationGraduates from formal training programs are prepared to take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, which verifies that the pharmacy technician has met an acceptable standard of pharmaceutical knowledge. A certified technician needs to be re-certified every two years and must complete a certain number of training hours to be eligible. Read more about pharmacy technician certification. Pharmacy Technician SalaryWhile starting out can be a challenge, experienced pharmacy technicians enjoy great job security and lots of job opportunities. The median hourly wage for pharmacy technicians is $11.37, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Based on a 40-hour week, that works out to an annual salary of $23,650. The average salary range is $18,720 - $32,240 per year. Pharmacy technician salaries also vary a good deal by state, city, employer and experience. Read more about pharmacy technician salaries. Steps to Becoming a Pharmacy TechnicianIf you are considering becoming a pharmacy technician, here is a simple outline of what it takes:
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Pharmacy Technician SalaryAccording to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual earnings of pharmacy technicians were $26,510 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $21,010 and $31,030. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $31,030. Salary.com lists the 2007 US average as $27,641 with the lowest 10 percent making less than $21,663 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $34,544. Certification, evening or weekend hours, and union membership typically contribute to increased pay. The job outlook for pharmacy technicians is very good. With an aging population, advances in science and an ever-increasing array of medications, employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. Top 12 Health Care CareersCompare the top 12 health care careers side by side. School InfoChoosing a Program Online Programs Search All Schools Career InfoCareer Outlook Certification Salaries Interview Useful InfoIndustry Organizations Pharmacy Techs in Canada Pharmacy Tech |

