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How much does a pharmacy tech make in California? The average salary for a pharmacy technician in California is $34,370 per year.
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Introduction
The average pharmacy tech salary in California is $37,420, which is somewhat lower than the national average of $38,700. However, salaries for pharmacy techs can vary widely depending on factors such as experience, location, and employer. In general, pharmacy techs in California can expect to earn a comfortable wage.
The Role of a Pharmacy Technician
A pharmacy technician is a professional who works under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist in a variety of settings, including community pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. Pharmacy technicians typically have an associate’s degree or diploma in pharmacy technology, although some jobs may only require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Pharmacy technicians perform many of the same duties as pharmacists, such as counting pills, measuring medications, and labeling bottles. They also answer customer questions about medications, provide education about drug interactions and side effects, and process prescription orders. In some states, pharmacy technicians may even be allowed to dispense medications.
In California, the average annual salary for a pharmacy technician is $35,920, or $17.29 per hour. Salaries range from $26,840 at the bottom of the scale to $46,200 at the top of the scale.
The Training and Certification Process
In order to qualify for a pharmacy technician position in California, individuals must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers also prefer candidates who have some prior experience working in customer service or the healthcare industry. Once hired, pharmacy technicians must complete on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Although not required, many employers prefer candidates who have completed a formal training program and/or hold certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Individuals interested in becoming certified pharmacy technicians can find PTCB-approved programs at community colleges, technical schools, and online universities located throughout California. Most programs take between six and eighteen months to complete and include both classroom instruction and practical training experiences. Upon successfully completing a program, students are eligible to sit for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Candidates who pass the exam earn the certified pharmacy technician (CPhT) credential.
The Job Market for Pharmacy Technicians in California
The job market for pharmacy technicians in California is expected to grow significantly in the next decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for pharmacy technicians in the state is projected to increase by 27% between 2016 and 2026. This growth is largely due to the aging population in California, as well as an increase in the number of people with chronic conditions that require medication.
As the demand for pharmacy technicians grows, so does the potential earnings for these professionals. The average annual salary for a pharmacy technician in California is $38,430, which is slightly higher than the national average of $36,750. However, salaries for pharmacy technicians can vary significantly depending on experience, education, and location. For instance, pharmacy technicians who work in hospitals or retail pharmacies tend to earn more than those who work in home healthcare or long-term care facilities.
The Salary Range for Pharmacy Technicians in California
The California pharmacy technician salary range is between $33,110 and $54,690 per year. The median wage for this occupation is $42,840 annually, or $20.57 per hour. Experience, geographic location, and employer size are just a few variables that can affect how much a pharmacy tech makes in California.
The average hourly wage for pharmacy technicians in California is $20.57. However, experience level and geographic location can affect this number. For instance, the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area has the highest concentration of jobs and annual mean wages of $48,520 for pharmacy technicians. In contrast, the Bakersfield-Delano area has the lowest concentration of jobs and an annual mean wage of only $30,470 for this occupation.
Size of employer can also have an impact on wages earned by pharmacy techs in California. The state’s largest employers of this occupation are general merchandise stores and hospitals; these two industries offer mean annual wages of $43,620 and $41,520 respectively to their employees who work as pharmacy technicians. On the other hand, the state’s specialty food stores offer the highest mean annual wage at $52,140 annually to their employees who work as pharmacy technicians.
The Future of Pharmacy Technician Careers in California
Career growth for pharmacy technicians is expected to be strong in California in the coming years. The number of pharmacy technician jobs in the state is projected to increase by 18 percent between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.1
As the population of California continues to grow, the demand for prescription medications will also increase, leading to more job opportunities for pharmacy technicians in retail pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. In addition, an aging population will require more long-term care services, resulting in an increased need for pharmacy technicians who can work in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.1
If you’re thinking about a career as a pharmacy technician in California, you can expect to earn a good salary. The average annual salary for pharmacy technicians in the state was $38,430 in 2017.2 However, salaries can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and employer type. For instance, pharmacy technicians who work in hospitals tend to earn more than those who work in retail pharmacies.2
1 https://www.careerinfonet.org/occupations/default.aspx?nodeid=3&stfips=06&from=occupationlist
2 https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ca.htm#29-2051
