The National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) reports that there are over 39,000 pharmacy technician job openings each year. They also report that pharmacy technician job growth is expected to be over 28 percent in the next decade with a median annual salary of $27,710, and the highest-paid earning more than $39,480.
Pharmacy technicians held about 285,000 jobs in 2006. About 71 percent of jobs were in retail pharmacies, either independently owned or part of a drugstore chain, grocery store, department store, or mass retailer. About 18 percent of jobs were in hospitals and a small proportion was in mail-order and Internet pharmacies, offices of physicians, pharmaceutical wholesalers, and the Federal Government.
Pharmacy Technicians should have strong customer service and teamwork skills because they interact with patients, coworkers, and health care professionals. Mathematics, spelling, and reading skills are also important. They should be willing and able to take directions, but be able to work independently without constant instruction. They must be precise; details are sometimes a matter of life and death. Candidates interested in becoming pharmacy technicians cannot have prior records of drug or substance abuse.
Program description for Pharmacy Technician.
