The position of a pharmacy technician (pharmacy tech) is a role that has a crucial role in healthcare. They help pharmacists in making and dispensing drugs, maintaining inventories and giving service to customers in drug stores. The number of well trained pharmacy technicians has become in demand as the healthcare industry keeps growing; this gives prospective career persons a good field to consider. A typical question most commonly found in people interested in taking this career path is: what is the salary of a pharmacy technician?
This paper shall present a comprehensive analysis of pharmacy technician salaries, some of the aspects that determine the pay, the amount that should be expected considering experience and education level, and the future prospect of this profession. At the end, you will have a clear picture of what to expect out there in terms of pay as an pharmacy technician.
What is a Pharmacy Technician?
A pharmacy technician is a medical worker who assists pharmacists in the process of giving out prescription medication to the patients. They might be required to perform such duties as: Preparing medications to be dispensed. Helping the customers on their medication questions. Inventory of the pharmaceutical products. Ohio State.Controlling medication files and profiles.Making and giving injections within the advance of a pharmacist (in certain conditions).
The job position assumes the skills to pay attention to details, excellent communication and close knowledge of medical terms, pharmaceutical mathematics and medications.
Pharmacy Tech Salary Influencing Factors
The salary of a pharmacy technician can be depending on various factors. Knowing these, you will be able to make realistic expectations on salary and what it takes to get through your career path.
1. Location
The actual work place can highly influence your pharmacy technician earnings. The salaries of the pharmacy techs are differentiated by the location, and it tends to be higher in the bigger cities, or where the cost of living is higher. As an example, in cities, such as New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, pharmacy technicians are more likely to earn than in rural places. But again, the high wages can be offset by the higher cost of living in the cities.
2. Experience Level
Like most careers, the experience you gain will make the more money you make. Lower staffing pharmacy technicians can begin their career at a lower wage, yet with several years in their profession, they can earn a higher wage. Long-term technicians, who gain an extremely high level of understanding of the ways of working of a pharmacy, customer care and dispensing in medications are valuable and are likely to get a promotion or increase.
3. Education and Certification
Even though, one only requires a high school diploma to start practicing a career in pharmacy technology, further education and certification will augment your earning potential. Those pharmacy technicians who have completed the formal, accredited program and are certified by the learned body of the trade e.g. the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) are better remunerated. The certified techs increase their employment opportunities since they are more professional and committed to the profession.
4. Workplace Type
Your salary can also depend on the type of pharmacy that you work in. Pharmacy technicians at hospitals, research institutes or major healthcare centres are likely to be paid higher rates since they are better qualified. The salaries in hospital pharmacies are usually higher because of the level of challenges and range of work, including some on an experimental level, like intravenous drug preparation and participating in clinical trials.
Retail pharmacies, however, could have slightly reduced compensation, yet are potentially rewarding, particularly to people who desire a high-paced operation with an interaction with their clients. There is also the aspect of flexibility and individual benefits which can be provided at an independent pharmacy rather than at a large chain pharmacy.
5. Specialization
The salary payable to the pharmacy technician who has specialized in a particular field in the pharmacy might be high. As an example, any individual working in the field of oncology, nuclear pharmacy or sterile compounding, might be able to market his/her skills at a premium. Specialization involves more training and more experience but can considerably raise the salary expectations.
Other Perks of Being a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians are sometimes offered a combination of benefits besides a competitive salary. The benefits may differ according to the employer but some of the common perks are:
- Health insurance: Most employers give health cover, which comes in the way of medical, dental, and even vision cover.
- Vacation: Pharmacy techs usually receive paid vacation leave, sick days and holidays.
- Retirement plans: The employer might provide retirement benefits, including employer contribution to a 401(k) plan.
- Promotion potential: Pharmacy technicians can obtain promotions to supervisor and other specializing positions with the accumulation of hours and certifications.
How to Increase Your Pharmacy Tech Salary
When becoming a pharmacy technician, there are things you can do to advance the level of your salary:
1. Obtain Certification
Certification is also one of the surest steps you could use to multiply your earning potential. The certification will prove your experience and devotion to the profession. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is a nationally recognized certification. Certified pharmacy technicians also have a higher salary as compared to uncertified ones.
2. Pursue Advanced Education
Although high school diploma or GED can be enough to start work as a pharmacy technician, further education and training will lead one to the doors of more well-paid work. Other pharmacy technicians earn associate degrees or receive specialized training in areas of specialty medicine such as nuclear pharmacy or oncology pharmacy. Such qualifications can qualify you to get more well-paid jobs.
3. Gain Experience
One of the greatest determinants of salary is experience. Experience would not only increase your salary by the number of years you have been in work. Take on entry level jobs and start gaining experience slowly. You can also learn that you can even get promotions or specialized positions over time that are associated with better salaries.
4. Opt to Work in Better-paying Environments
Hospital or the large facility pharmacy technicians probably have higher salaries in comparison with the retail Pharmacy Tech Salary. To increase your pay, therefore, you might want to apply to work in such environments since the work is more complex, and the need of skilled technicians is more.
Conclusion
The healthcare sector depends heavily on pharmacy technicians who receive compensation that matches their essential role. Pharmacy tech salaries differ based on location and experience level and education but the field offers various paths to advance professionally and earn higher compensation. Pharmacy technicians can increase their earning potential through certification and work experience and by choosing employment in higher-paying settings.
Pharmacy technicians have a promising job outlook which becomes even more promising when they obtain relevant certifications for a successful career in this field. The profession of a pharmacy technician provides a definite career outlook and on completion of like-minded credentials, there is a high likelihood of having a productive career in the field.
FAQs About Pharmacy Tech Salary
1. How much do pharmacy technicians earn?
The hourly rate pay enjoyed by technicians in the pharmacist industry averages evenly to 17 to 20 dollars an hour in terms of locations, knowledge, and certifications. Among the high-cost of living areas, wages per hour may reach up to $25 and above.
2. Which are the best-paying states of pharmacy technicians?
California, Alaska, Massachusetts and Nevada are among the best places to work in as a pharmacy technicians as far as pay is concerned. These states have better wages because of the high cost of living and healthcare services requirement.
3. Can I increase my pharmacy tech salary without certification?
Although certification may be useful to raise your salary levels, experience and learning are also factors that may enable you to raise your earning capacity.
4. Are pharmacy technicians well paid among the other medical staff?
In spite of the fact that a job as a pharmacy technician cannot be that highly paid as the job of a pharmacist or a physician, the wages of a pharmacy technician are rather competitive in a low level field as a medical professional. Pharmacy technician field also has positive job situation and relatively low entry threshold.
5. Would I have part-time employment as a pharmacy technician?
Indeed, a large portion of pharmacy technicians are part-time workers, particularly in retail stores. Working part-time allows certain flexibility when it comes to the working schedule in case it also promises a good salary and benefits.
