The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for a Pharmacy Technician around the country.
What We Do
Pharmacy technicians work within the supervision of licensed pharmacists. They are responsible for helping to dispense medications, and can direct patient questions about prescriptions and health towards a pharmacist. The duties of this professional might extend towards filling out prescriptions, and interacting with patients. In order to fill a request, a pharmacy technician can count, weigh, measure, or mix medication, and after the pharmacist has validated that prescription, it can be given to the patient.
Work Environment
Typically, pharmacy technicians spend a number of hours standing within pharmacy settings either in a hospital or a general pharmacy. These individuals will frequently be required to work nights and weekends depending on where they are employed.
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
At this time, there are no formal educational requirements in place to become a pharmacy technician, beyond a diploma from high school. However, most employers will prefer to choose job applicants who have completed a formal training program. Many community colleges and secondary educational facilities provide pharmacy technician programs that can last between one or two years and will award an associate’s degree or certificate. Students in these courses learn more about medications, pharmaceutical terminology, and pharmacy procedures.
Training & Certification Requirements
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are a number of states with regulations in place for pharmacy technicians. These regulations may include continuing education hours that are required and formal training. What’s more, though not all states or employers will require for their pharmacy technicians to be certified, voluntarily seeking out certification can be a good idea for those who want to be competitive within the job market. Certification examinations are offered by the National Health Career Association, and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Eligibility requirements for each examination will include at least a single year of experience within the field, and a high school diploma.
Pharmacy Technician Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Pharmacy Technician.
Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
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Oncology Pharmacy Technician | $28,000 |
Pharmacy Technician Riverbend | $32,000 |
Pharmacy Technician Outpatient Core | $34,000 |
Pharmacy Technician Associate | $153,000 |
Pharmacy Technician Medication Historian | $12,000 |
Pharmacy Technician Shipping | $16,000 |
Mail Order Pharmacy Technician | $29,000 |
Pharmacy Technologist Pharmacy | $33,000 |
Pharmacy Technician Starting | $36,000 |
Pharmacy Technician Medical Recon | $37,000 |
Pharmacy Technician Earning Potential
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for a pharmacy technician as of 2014 was approximately $29,810.
Pharmacy Technician Job Outlook
According to the BLS, the number of jobs for pharmacy technicians is expected to rise by around 20% between the years of 2012 and 2022. This is a much faster rate and growth than is available to most occupations within the field. Part of the reason for this growth is that demand for skilled technicians will remain strong as consumers continue to live longer and turn to pharmacists to manage chronic diseases and health issues related to age.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Pharmacy Technician was $28,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide are 52% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Pharmacy Technician Salary by State
The following lists Pharmacy Technician salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $35,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $17,000.
Alaska – $20,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Safeway, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and Safeway Inc. | |||||||||||
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Alabama – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, Winn-Dixie Pharmacy, and RPh on the Go. | |||||||||||
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Arkansas – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, 025 – Delta Division, Harps Food Stores, and Harp's Food Stores. | |||||||||||
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Arizona – $23,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Safeway, RPh on the Go, and Banner Health. | |||||||||||
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California – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, Safeway, and VCA Antech, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Colorado – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Safeway, 620 – King Soopers (King Soopers), and VCA Antech, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Connecticut – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Big Y Foods, Inc., VCA Antech, Inc., and The CSI Companies. | |||||||||||
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DC – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Supervalu, Safeway, and Kaiser Permanente. | |||||||||||
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Delaware – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, Nemours, and VCA Antech, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Florida – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Winn-Dixie Pharmacy, VCA Antech, Inc., and Omnicare, Inc. | |||||||||||
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Georgia – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, 011 – Atlanta Division, Rite Aid, and RPh on the Go. | |||||||||||
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Hawaii – $17,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Safeway Inc, The Queen's Medical Center, and Safeway. | |||||||||||
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Iowa – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, UnityPoint Health, Shopko, and The University of Iowa. | |||||||||||
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Idaho – $18,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shopko, Rite Aid, RPh on the Go, and Albertsons Companies. | |||||||||||
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Illinois – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, RPh on the Go, Wexford Health Sources, Inc., and The CSI Companies. | |||||||||||
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Indiana – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, 021 – Central Division (Kroger), Omnicare, Inc, and Meijer. | |||||||||||
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Kansas – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, UnitedHealth Group, and 615 – Dillon Stores (Dillons). | |||||||||||
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Kentucky – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Catholic Health Initiatives, Rite Aid, and 024 – Louisville Division. | |||||||||||
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Louisiana – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, Ochsner Health System, and Winn-Dixie Pharmacy. | |||||||||||
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Massachusetts – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, RPh on the Go, and BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER. | |||||||||||
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Maryland – $29,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Supervalu, Rite Aid, and Safeway. | |||||||||||
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Maine – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, RPh on the Go, and Maine Medical Center. | |||||||||||
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Michigan – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, SpartanNash, Meijer, and Rite Aid. | |||||||||||
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Minnesota – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Allina Health, Fairview Health Services, and Supervalu. | |||||||||||
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Missouri – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Truman Medical Centers, Express Scripts, and RPh on the Go. | |||||||||||
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Mississippi – $29,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, 025 – Delta Division, Rite Aid, and Fred's Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Montana – $23,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Shopko, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, and Billings Clinic. | |||||||||||
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North Carolina – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, Harris Teeter, and Carolinas HealthCare System. | |||||||||||
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North Dakota – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Thrifty White Pharmacy, CVS Health, Catholic Health Initiatives, and Trinity-Minot Clinics. | |||||||||||
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Nebraska – $20,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Shopko, VCA Antech, Inc., and Omnicare, Inc. | |||||||||||
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New Hampshire – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, D-H Lebanon DHMC Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, and Walgreens. | |||||||||||
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New Jersey – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, RPh on the Go, and Express Scripts. | |||||||||||
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New Mexico – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RPh Professional Search, Albertsons LLC, Loyal Source Government Services, and Central New Mexico Community College. | |||||||||||
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Nevada – $21,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Charles River, UnitedHealth Group, and Raley's / Bel Air / Nob Hill. | |||||||||||
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New York – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, Northwell Health, and VCA Antech, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Ohio – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, RPh on the Go, 016 – Columbus Division, and Rite Aid. | |||||||||||
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Oklahoma – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Mercy, Kmart Corporation, and VCA Antech, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Oregon – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RPh on the Go, Safeway Inc, Rite Aid, and Albertsons. | |||||||||||
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Pennsylvania – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, Giant Eagle, Inc., and UPMC. | |||||||||||
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Rhode Island – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CharterCARE Health Partners, FlexibleRx, CVS Health, and Lifespan. | |||||||||||
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South Carolina – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, BI-LO Pharmacy, Rite Aid, and Omnicare, Inc. | |||||||||||
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South Dakota – $21,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SpartanNash, Shopko, CVS Health, and Kmart Corporation. | |||||||||||
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Tennessee – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, 026 – Nashville, Rite Aid, and Fred's Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Texas – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Randalls/Tom Thumb, Baylor Scott & White Health, and 035 – Dallas Division. | |||||||||||
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Utah – $22,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, University of Utah Health Care, Rite Aid, and Intermountain Healthcare. | |||||||||||
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Virginia – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, Harris Teeter, and Omnicare, Inc. | |||||||||||
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Vermont – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Rite Aid, CVS Health, RPh on the Go, and Hannaford. | |||||||||||
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Washington – $29,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Rite Aid, Safeway, CVS Health, and Safeway Inc. | |||||||||||
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Wisconsin – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Shopko, Aurora HealthCare, and Froedtert. | |||||||||||
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West Virginia – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, WVU Healthcare, and Omnicare, Inc. | |||||||||||
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Wyoming – $23,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
Average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Pharmacy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Albertsons, Shopko, Ridleys Family Market, and Kmart Corporation. | |||||||||||
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