Most pharmacy technicians work in retail stores and in hospitals, receiving prescriptions from customers and filling those prescriptions under the supervision of a pharmacist. They also label and price the bottles, vials and other containers, in addition to tracking inventory and providing customer service.Starting Salary
- Median starting salary for pharmacy technicians as of 2009 is between $8 to $11 an hour, according to the PayScale salary survey website. Pharmacy techs can expect an increase to between $10 and $15 with at least five years' experience.
Average Salary
- Average hourly pay for pharmacy technicians in 2008 was $13.70, or $28,500 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
General Range
- In 2008, a total of 80 percent of all pharmacy technicians were earning between $9 and $19 per hour. The middle 50 percent of earners were making between $11 and $16.
Location
- Grocery stores in 2008 were generally paying pharmacy technicians right at the average of $13.70 per hour. General medical and surgical hospitals paid higher, at an average of about $15.50, while general retail and department stores paid less, at an average between $12.40 and $12.80.
Geography
- The highest-paying states for pharmacy technicians in 2008 were Alaska, California, Hawaii and Washington, all paying an average between $17 and $18. In the California metropolitan areas of Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Cruz average was between $18 and $20.50 per hour.
Employment Outlook
- The BLS predicts employment outlook for pharmacy technicians to increase much faster than average at least through 2016 because of an aging population needing more prescription medications.
Read more: Pharmacy Technician's Average Salary | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5449829_pharmacy-technicians-average-salary.html#ixzz1gkazPcmi
