Pharmacy Technician Salary Overview

The aspiring pharmacy technician can expect significant job growth, with an increase of 25 percent or more through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in providing medication to patients.

Depending upon the size of the employer and state guidelines, the pharmacy technician's duties may include everything from verifying that the doctor's prescription is valid and complete to preparing the medications for the patient. All details such as counting pills or measuring liquid medications and labeling bottles may be handled by the pharmacy tech. Medications are then verified by a licensed pharmacist before being given to the patient. The pharmacy technician may be called upon to make and update patient files, manage inventory, stock shelves, answer phones and run cash registers, since 75 percent of jobs are in a retail setting.