Pharmacy Technician Salary
The pharmacy technician salary can be affected by a lot of factors that might include location, the local cost of living, experience and differences between employers. More pharmacies are looking for pharmacy technicians with formal training and perhaps even certification credentials. Every state has different requirements and guidelines for these highly trained experts.
According to the United States Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics, the middle 50 percent of pharmacy technicians in May of 2008 earned anywhere from about $11 to $16 an hour. There are examples, of course, of pharmacy technicians earning more or less, but the top 10 percent limit approached $20 an hour.
It is rather difficult to establish an exact pharmacy technician salary that can be expected for an individual as there are many variables to consider. Formal education in a pharmacy technician program or pharmacy technician certification should translate into better job opportunities and increased salary. Every employer is different and the entire benefit package should be taken into account when determining and negotiating a pharmacy technician salary.
How To Become A Pharmacy Technician
Everyone’s path towards any career is different, but there are some general similarities. If one pursues a pharmacy technician training program at an academic institution like a community or technical college, they could require you to have a high school diploma or equivalent. They could also have minimum standardized test score requirements as well. Checking with the appropriate admissions office and asking the right people how to properly submit a successful application is a great start and should begin to answer a lot of specific questions you may have.
It may not even be a bad idea to approach any pharmacists you know or at your local pharmacy. You could at least speak with existing pharmacy technicians to determine possible routes towards this unique and in-demand career. If your state requires a license to work as a pharmacy technician, they might also be able to tell you the overall process and how to prepare for any licensing examination or test. If there is one, there should be quality study guides available from online retailers or local bookstores. Your academic studies should also help you prepare for any licensing test. Look into certification as this demonstrates to your peers and colleagues your dedication to your field and that you are willing to invest more time and energy advancing in your career.
Pharmacy technician programs can be anywhere from about six months up to a two-year degree. This can be a relatively shorter training period if anyone wants to enter the healthcare field more quickly than a four-year college graduate, for example. Becoming a pharmacy technician is often a step some people take before applying to a college of pharmacy to become a pharmacist. If you choose this route or are interested in working while studying, you might be interested in getting an online education. Even traditional college students are seeing the benefits and convenience of online courses. Make sure any online school is accredited and that important credits transfer. Once you have completed your training you will be ready to begin earning a pharmacy technician salary!
