Becoming a pharmacy technician is a good way to earn a solid wage or salary, have plenty of work, and sometimes gain a pharmacy education that can be used for advancement later on. Show
Pharmacy technicians work at major pharmacies, including Walgreen’s and CVS. They help pharmacists to dispense most types of prescription medications to both customers and healthcare professionals. They also may work in hospitals and other health care facilities. Whether you decide to work at Walgreen’s, CVS or another major pharmacy, you will do most of the same duties:
Pharmacy technicians can actually work in many places, such as:
Job demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to go up by 9% by 2024, which is faster than average. There are a number of reasons that the demand in the pharmacy field is rising. People are getting older, and Americans are living longer. As this happens, people want to live active lives as they did when they were younger. But of course, they have a higher rate of medical conditions and diseases. So this drives demand for more prescription drugs. On a related note, there have been many advances in the pharmaceutical field in the last decade. More and more medical conditions and diseases can be improved, cured or controlled with various drugs. This also leads to higher demand for prescription drugs. Further, pharmacy technicians are relied upon more in pharmacies because pharmacists must tend to other roles, such as providing flu shots and providing advice to patients. It is more cost effective for pharmacies to hire pharmacy techs to do many of these administrative and customer service tasks. Salary and Hourly Wage Information for Walgreens and CVSSome pharmacy technicians may earn an hourly wage, while others will be paid a salary. Most salaried employees at major pharmacies have completed a one or two year pharmacy technician certificate program (see more information later on this page). Generally, the US government states that the median salary for all pharmacy technicians is $30,410. Comparing wage information for Walgreen’s and CVS, you will usually find that their wages are comparable. Take a look at this data:
The US government states that the top wage for pharmacy technicians is $45,030. Most of those are almost certainly certified pharmacy technicians. Certified Pharmacy TechnicianThe data would indicate that both pharmacies pay a very similar wage for starting techs. What you should consider is the advantages both financially and career wise for becoming a certified pharmacy technician. At both CVS, Walgreens, and other major pharmacies, you can become a pharmacy technician with on the job training. But generally, most states do regulate pharmacy technicians and expect you to become certified within a few years of starting your career. There are many vocational schools and community colleges around the country that offer postsecondary education programs in pharmacy technology. The majority of them are one year or less, but a few may last two years and will earn you an associate’s degree. These education programs in pharmacy technology will cover many basic pharmacy subjects:
When you complete your education, you will need to take the certification examination that is offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Pharmacy Technician Programs – CVSThe CVS website has different types of pharmacy tech opportunities to consider:
Pharmacy Technician Programs – WalgreensWalgreen’s corporate website states that its techs get comprehensive training that is the best in the pharmacy industry. Also, it notes that Walgreen’s pharmacy technician training program has been accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists or ASHP. Their training program provides all Walgreen techs with their national certification and prepares them for a career in pharmacy technology. Becoming a pharmacy technician at either Walgreen’s or CVS is a great choice to enjoy a good, stable career. And of course, you can decide later to enter pharmacy school and earn your Pharm.D. degree. Whats the most a pharmacy tech can make at Walgreens?Walgreen's Pharmacy Jobs by Hourly Rate. How Much Do Pharmacy Techs Make in Texas at Walgreens?Average Walgreens Certified Pharmacy Technician hourly pay in Texas is approximately $16.94, which meets the national average.
How much do most pharmacy techs make?The average annual salary in the state for pharmacy technicians in 2020 was $47,620. In 2016, a pharmacy technician earned an annual salary of $39,760, thus showing increase of 19.7% from 2016 to 2020.
How much do pharmacy techs make at Walgreens in Illinois?How much does a Pharmacy Technician make at Walgreens in Illinois? Average Walgreens Pharmacy Technician hourly pay in Illinois is approximately $15.68, which meets the national average.
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