Your go-to guide to making more money as a pharmacy technician

With the growing need for health care services and medications, the demand for skilled pharmacy technicians is rising, too. These skilled professionals work behind the scenes to dispense medications and liaise between customers and pharmacists. If you’ve started out in this career and want to maximize your salary, then you’re in the right place.

This article aims to guide pharmacy technicians on how to maximize their earnings, exploring strategies for professional growth and financial success.

What does a pharmacy technician do?

Pharmacy technicians have many responsibilities, primarily assisting pharmacists in medication management and customer service. In this role, you’re responsible for preparing and dispensing medications, managing inventory, and helping customers. Pharmacy technicians often work in hospitals, clinics, retail pharmacies, and long-term care facilities. They may also work in mail-order pharmacies, processing medications without direct patient interaction.

A pharmacy technician’s responsibilities include:

• Greeting customers, answering their questions, and providing information about medications
• Filling prescriptions accurately by selecting the appropriate medication and measuring dosages
• Creating accurate medication labels and ensuring proper storage conditions
• Monitoring medication stock levels and conducting inventory audits
• Maintaining patient records and checking compliance with HIPAA regulations
• Processing electronic prescriptions and verifying patient information
• Adhering to state laws and pharmacy regulations regarding medication dispensing

Pharmacy technician salary

Typically, a pharmacy technician’s median salary is $40,500. Depending on your education and experience, you can earn over $100,000 annually, since experienced technicians often earn more than their entry-level counterparts. Salaries vary widely by state and city. For instance, in California, you may earn more than a technician from Texas, due to higher living costs and demand for health care services.

Your salary may also differ depending on the facility you work in. Outpatient care centers pay more than personal care stores. 

Maximizing salary as a pharmacy technician

Here are some ways to earn more as a pharmacy tech:

Explore compounding pharmacies

Unlike traditional pharmacies, compounding pharmacies create custom medications for patients. These pharmacies might combine several medications into one pill or liquid product. Pharmacy technicians can also make special dosages that don’t exist in the traditional market to suit a patient’s weight, metabolism, and specific needs.

If you love customer service and want to play a more prominent role in patients’ lives, a compounding pharmacy could be perfect for you. You might also advance faster in such a role due to better opportunities for management or supervisory positions. Additionally, under a pharmacist’s careful eye, you might learn how to compound medications yourself. Advanced skills and on-the-job training often offer valuable work experience for future jobs. 

“If you want to advance your pharmacy technician career, focus on demonstrating your leadership skills in each interaction with colleagues, customers, and supervisors.”

Work in a clinical setting

A larger facility such as a hospital might offer more advancement opportunities than an off-site pharmacy. In addition to filling prescriptions and offering customer service, you may also learn how to prepare patients for IV insertions and perform other clinical procedures.

You could advance to a supervisory position if you show an excellent work ethic and a desire to learn new skills. Focus on impressing your supervisors with your work ethic for the best opportunities.

Get certified

Certified pharmacy technicians often receive higher wages. Getting certified can enhance your job prospects and lead to higher salaries and greater responsibilities. Consider the following certifications:

• Certified Pharmacy Technician: You need to complete a pharmacy technician training program recognized by PTCB or have at least 500 hours of work experience as a pharmacy technician to be eligible. You’ll also need to recertify every two years, which requires completing continuing education and paying a fee.
• Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians: You can qualify by completing an accredited pharmacy technician training program or having at least 1,200 hours of supervised pharmacy work experience. You’ll also need to complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years.

Become a pharmacist

While you work as a pharmacy technician, consider returning to school to become a pharmacist. You’ll enjoy much higher earning potential and access to better benefits. Additionally, pharmacists work directly with patients and have greater responsibilities.

Get your Doctor of Pharmacy, Pharm.D., and pass your state’s exam to become a pharmacist. The process might take longer if you’re working a full-time job as a pharmacy technician, but you’ll thank yourself for putting forth the effort. Once you have your pharmacist credentials, you can work anywhere you like. In fact, you could open your own pharmacy.

Demonstrate leadership skills

If you want to advance your pharmacy technician career, focus on demonstrating your leadership skills in each interaction with colleagues, customers, and supervisors. Show initiative, ask questions when you’re unsure about something, and communicate your thoughts.

Most importantly, be accurate, methodical, and responsible. You’ll set an excellent example for your fellow techs. If something goes wrong, take immediate responsibility and describe how you’ll prevent the problem in the future. You’ll show that you’re willing to learn, quick to admit mistakes, and eager to put in your fair share of work.

A pharmacy technician doesn’t have to serve as the last stop in your career trajectory. Follow the above tips to advance your career and gain better job opportunities. 

If you’re looking to apply, you can upload your resume to CareerBuilder to increase your visibility and get opportunities that perfectly align with your skills, interests, and work preferences. 

More tips to make good money as a pharmacy technician 

Curious about the best-paying health care jobs? Here are 11 jobs you can check out. 

Starting a new job as a pharmacy technician? Here are some questions you should be asking. 

Here are some ways to deal with stress while working in the health care sector.