Why This Matters
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60% OF PHARMACY TECHNICIANS ONLY HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
However, you can also study to become a pharmacy technician if you’ve been awarded a certificate for training completed after high school.
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PHARMACY TECHNICIAN JOBS TO GROW 4% BY 2029
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) estimates that approximately 437,600 pharmacy technicians will be employed in 2029, as opposed to 2019’s 422,300 technicians.
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50% OF PHARMACY TECHNICIANS EARN MORE THAN THE ANNUAL AVERAGE
Although the remaining half earns less than the median annual wage of $35,100, the top 10% were paid well above $50,430 annually.
Our Research
Our list ranks the top pharmacy technician training programs based on variables such as the most affordable, most comprehensive, best for certification, and best full-time options. These programs typically award a certificate or advanced degree upon completion.
Besides that, our list comprises pharmacy technician programs that have been accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). They typically accredit programs that involve at least 600 hours of instruction within a minimum of 15 weeks.
- 60 hours to write this article
- 70 universities and colleges we assessed
- 114 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Pharmacy Technician Training Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
If you’re interested in the medical field, there are similar options you could pursue. You can decide to join a program for medical assistants, dental assistants, medical records and health information technicians, or medical transcriptionists. Consider whether you’d rather work more with patients or behind the scenes in records.
Typically, most states require potential pharmacy technician students to have a high school diploma or GED. Moreover, some states or employers may need pharmacy technicians to be certified. In that context, only two organizations, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), can provide certification.
The employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow by 4% by 2029. As members of the general population continue aging, the dependence on prescription medications will eventually increase, leading to an increased need for pharmacy technicians.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online pharmacy technician training programs:
- How long does it take to complete this program? How long it takes to get certified as a professional pharmacy technician may vary depending on your employer’s requirements. However, most programs award a certificate after one year of study. Some training programs may last longer, leading to an advanced degree.
- Am I eligible for this program? You will likely need a high school diploma or GED to qualify for an on-the-job training program. You may also be eligible if you’ve completed a post-secondary education program in pharmacy technology. However, the typical process of becoming a pharmacy technician involves passing an exam or completing a training program for your formal education.
As you look for a pharmacy technician training program, remember to keep track of all the deadlines and materials needed for application and financial aid.