July 20, 2007

What This Job Pays: pharmacy technician

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Pay: The average pay of a pharmacy technician in the Seattle area is $16.68 an hour, with most making from $15.23 to $18 an hour, according to PayScale, a Seattle company that tracks compensation and benefits.

Demand: Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations in the coming years because as the population grows and ages, demand for pharmaceuticals will increase dramatically. With advances in science, more medications are becoming available to treat a greater number of conditions. In addition, cost-conscious insurers, pharmacies and health systems will continue to expand the role of technicians. As a result, pharmacy technicians will assume responsibility for some of the more routine tasks previously performed by pharmacists. Pharmacy technicians also will need to learn new pharmacy technology as it emerges. For example, robotic machines are increasingly being used to dispense medicine into containers; technicians must oversee the machines, stock the bins and label containers.

Need to know: Although most pharmacy technicians receive informal on-the-job training, employers favor those who have completed formal training and certification. In addition to the military, some hospitals, proprietary schools, vocational or technical colleges and community colleges offer formal education programs.

PayScale, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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