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Is the salary of a Pharmacy Technician enough to obtain a sustainable lifestyle?
I am a twenty-one year old trade student, studying to become pharmacy technician. Some of my hobbies include sewing, embroidering, and drawing. I am very interested in pursuing healthcare , but I also want to pursue the arts industry.#pharmacy #pharmaceuticals #pharmacist #medicine #pharm-tech #healthcare
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6 answers
David Friedman, RPh
QUALITY-FOCUSED PHARMACIST MANAGER – Expertise in Long-Term Care High-Volume Dispensing Operations & Account Management
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David’s Answer
Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhT) are vital to the operational success of any pharmacy. Look to your States Board of Pharmacy’s requirements for certification.
Regards,
Regards,
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Giaan’s Answer
To be honest, not really. It also depends on the region that you're located in the US too. Typically pharmacy techs make around $14-20. From there, you also have to account for living expenses, health care, transportation....etc.
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Rachel’s Answer
This highly depends upon your cost of living. If you can carefully manage a budget and don't spend much, a salary of $15-25 per hour may allow you to live comfortably.
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David’s Answer
To answer this honestly, I have to say, that no it is not! If you have no rent to pay and you live at home, then it’s a good start, in learning to be a pharmacist. It’s a stressful job! One retail pharmacist told me, that it’s hard work and low pay. So I quit the next day. I apologize, if this is too discouraging, but I wanted to save you any heart ache and pain.
If you want to be a pharmacy tech, do so in a hospital pharmacy. The pay may be better and not as stressful!
If you want to be a pharmacy tech, do so in a hospital pharmacy. The pay may be better and not as stressful!
Thank you for your honesty!
Breoni
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Dana’s Answer
My answer is yes, a very qualified yes. I paid my tech's very well. Starting at $16.00/hr in 2010 maxing out at $35.00 for highly qualified techs.
Life style and geographic location pay a very important part of this response. Single, living a low cost lifestyle vs married, with children in an area such as San Francisco will require different answers.
Starting salaries very. You can advance to a livable wage with benefits. Some of my techs eventually went to pharmacy school which was not that difficult a transition others went to public health and some to nursing. Many stayed as tech managers with a good salary and very nice benefit package.
I recommend in your studies that you have a clear focus of your eventual path and goal. This focus will assist you in your learning and eventual career.
Best wishes to you whatever path you follow.
Life style and geographic location pay a very important part of this response. Single, living a low cost lifestyle vs married, with children in an area such as San Francisco will require different answers.
Starting salaries very. You can advance to a livable wage with benefits. Some of my techs eventually went to pharmacy school which was not that difficult a transition others went to public health and some to nursing. Many stayed as tech managers with a good salary and very nice benefit package.
I recommend in your studies that you have a clear focus of your eventual path and goal. This focus will assist you in your learning and eventual career.
Best wishes to you whatever path you follow.
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hi Breoni,
Like most positions, the amount you make depends on where you are practicing. I believe the standard starting wage for a pharmacy technician is about $16. However, this can change depending on where you are working. For example, I am currently in an area with a very high demand for pharmacy technicians, and we are starting at $20. The wage can increase with experience, tenure in your company, and if you become a certified pharmacy technician. Additionally, some states are allowing technicians to give vaccines now, which may also increase your wage.
I do not believe it is unlikely for someone to earn $50,000 a year on a technician's salary. Especially if you work overtime and holidays, I am not sure of your living situation and standard of living, but it is likely you would not be the only earner in your household.
Although this does not seem like technicians earn a tremendous wage, it is essential to note that many technician jobs come with benefits such as vacation time, sick time, health insurance, and retirement. All these are also important to consider. Perhaps you may not be the primary earner in your household, but this may be able to balance out with these benefits.
Anthony
Like most positions, the amount you make depends on where you are practicing. I believe the standard starting wage for a pharmacy technician is about $16. However, this can change depending on where you are working. For example, I am currently in an area with a very high demand for pharmacy technicians, and we are starting at $20. The wage can increase with experience, tenure in your company, and if you become a certified pharmacy technician. Additionally, some states are allowing technicians to give vaccines now, which may also increase your wage.
I do not believe it is unlikely for someone to earn $50,000 a year on a technician's salary. Especially if you work overtime and holidays, I am not sure of your living situation and standard of living, but it is likely you would not be the only earner in your household.
Although this does not seem like technicians earn a tremendous wage, it is essential to note that many technician jobs come with benefits such as vacation time, sick time, health insurance, and retirement. All these are also important to consider. Perhaps you may not be the primary earner in your household, but this may be able to balance out with these benefits.
Anthony