[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you are considering a pharmacy career, one of the first decisions to make is deciding between pharmacy technician versus pharmacist.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide explains the difference between the roles, educational requirements, and typical salary ranges, so you can decide which career best fits your goals. Keep reading for the information you need to make the pharmacy tech versus pharmacist decision today.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacist Key Similarities and Differences[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The primary pharmacy tech versus pharmacist difference is what each role is trained for and legally allowed to do. Pharmacists have a doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, while pharmacy technicians do not need a college degree. Both must pass a licensing examination, though the specifics vary.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] Pharmacist vs. Pharmacy Technician [hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Points to Consider[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Pharmacy Technician[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Pharmacist[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Points to Consider”]Degree Required[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Pharmacy Technician”]None[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Pharmacist”]Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Points to Consider”]Certification Options[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Pharmacy Technician”]Certified pharmacy technician (C.Ph.T.)[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Pharmacist”]Pharmacy-based immunization delivery, pharmacokinetics, investigational drug services, non-malignant hematology, etc.[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Points to Consider”]Duties and Responsibilities[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Pharmacy Technician”]Dispense medications under pharmacist supervision, complete paperwork, communicate with insurance companies, process prescriptions[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Pharmacist”]Advise patients on prescriptions, check prescriptions for potential interactions, administer immunizations, provide general health and wellness advice[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Points to Consider”]Average Annual Salary[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Pharmacy Technician”]$39,000[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Pharmacist”] $116,140[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ align=”center” tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Payscale[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Duties and Responsibilities[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pharmacy tech versus pharmacist responsibility boils down to pharmacists having a broader scope of work. They can work independently, while pharmacy techs must work under a pharmacist and are not licensed to provide advice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] 
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[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]What is a Pharmacist?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pharmacists supervise pharmacy technicians and advise patients on pharmaceuticals, including potential drug interactions. They are also authorized to conduct health screenings, provide immunizations, and advise patients on general health.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Concerning pharmacy tech vs. pharmacist pay, pharmacist salaries are considerably higher than pharmacy technician salaries. This reflects their higher levels of education and responsibility.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]What is a Pharmacy Technician?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists by preparing prescriptions and giving them to patients. They update patient records and work with insurance providers and other payers.[/hen-ui-text]
[/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]What Does a Pharmacist Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pharmacists are responsible for patient health and safety related to prescriptions, as well as legal compliance. Their responsibilities include:[/hen-ui-text]
- Verify prescription information as needed
- Advise patients and other healthcare providers about potential interactions
- Instruct patients on how to take medications safely and what side effects to watch for
- Advise patients on any other issues related to prescriptions
- Provide general health and wellness advice as needed
- Supervise pharmacy technicians
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pharmacy technicians are largely responsible for the smooth and hygienic operations of a pharmacy, including processing prescriptions, dispensing medications, and handling payments. Their responsibilities include:[/hen-ui-text]
[/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Education and Certification[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both pharmacy technicians and pharmacists need training on pharmacy safety and operations. Both need to earn a state license.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, the length of required education is an important pharmacy technician versus pharmacist consideration. Depending on the state, pharmacy technician training can take less than two years and might even be as short as one month. Pharmacists, on the other hand, must earn a doctorate.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] - Prepare medications safely and hygienically
- Ensure dosages match the prescribed amount
- Process insurance claims, prior authorizations, and other payment issues
- Maintain pharmaceutical inventory
- Compound medications
- Update patient records
- Follow applicable state and federal laws related to prescriptions and controlled substances
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]How to Become a Pharmacist[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The pathway to pharmacist licensing is much more standardized. You must earn a Pharm.D. degree from an accredited program, which takes around four years (after a bachelor’s degree).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In most states, you will need to complete an internship. Some states offer a six-year Pharm. D. program out of high school.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After graduating, you must take the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nabp.pharmacy/programs/examinations/naplex/” target=”_blank”]North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam[/hen-ui-link] (NAPLEX) and either the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nabp.pharmacy/programs/examinations/mpje/” target=”_blank”]Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam[/hen-ui-link] (MPJE) or a state-specific test. Most states require an internship after graduation.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While not required to practice, many pharmacists pursue specialty certifications. One of the most common is the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.pharmacist.com/Education/Certificate-Training-Programs/Immunization” target=”_blank”]immunization certification[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]How to Become a Pharmacy Technician[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]States have different pharmacy technician training requirements. Some states allow on-the-job training, while others require formal education to be eligible to take the state licensing examination.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ptcb.org/” target=”_blank”]Pharmacy Technician Certification Board[/hen-ui-link] (PTCB) offers a certification course. All states accept this certification as a qualification for the licensing examination.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It takes 1-2 years to earn a pharmacy technician degree, but in many states you can qualify with a shorter training course. The length can vary from approximately a month to approximately six months. You must have a high school diploma or GED certificate for these programs.[/hen-ui-text]
[/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Salary and Career Outlook[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Because of the very different licensing requirements, the pharmacy technician versus pharmacist pay gap is large. On average, pharmacists earn nearly three times what pharmacy technicians earn.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”]$116,140 Average Annual Pharmacist Salary[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Source:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Pharmacist/Salary” target=”_blank”]Payscale[/hen-ui-link], August 2022[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”]$39,000 Average Annual Pharmacy Technician Salary[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Source:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Pharmacy_Technician/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]Payscale[/hen-ui-link], August 2022[/hen-ui-text]
[/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]Pharmacist Salary and Career Outlook[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The BLS projects a 2% decline in pharmacist jobs between 2020 and 2030, though there will still be an average of 11,300 job openings each year. It also reports that the highest-paid 10% of pharmacists earn $164,590 or higher and the lowest-paid 10% earn $76,840 or less.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The median annual salary for pharmacists working in ambulatory healthcare settings is $131,790, followed by hospitals at $130,280, food and beverage stores at $128,190, and pharmacies and drug stores at $127,820.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]Pharmacy Technician Salary and Career Outlook[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the lowest-paid 10% of pharmacy technicians earn $28,740 or less, and the highest 10% earned $47,580 or more. Hospitals pay the most, with a median $38,270 annual salary, followed by $360,090 at food and beverage stores, and $35,940 at pharmacies and drug stores.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Education levels and certifications, along with local demand and cost of living, significantly affect salaries. Pharmacy technician jobs are expected to grow 4% between 2020 and 2030, slower than the average growth rate.[/hen-ui-text]
[/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Pharmacy Technician vs. Pharmacist: Which Career is Right For Me?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If salary is the only factor, the pharmacy tech versus pharmacist decision is an easy one. Pharmacists earn a median six-figure salary often more than three times the median pharmacy tech salary. However, it is far easier and faster to become a pharmacy technician, and the number of pharmacy technician jobs is projected to grow.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The pharmacy technician versus pharmacist decision fundamentally depends on your career and financial goals. Some pharmacists start as pharmacy technicians to see whether they would like the career enough to commit to earning a doctorate, rather like some nurses start as [hen-ui-link href=”/cna/”]certified nursing assistants[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you think you would enjoy pharmaceutical work, but are less keen on hours spent in classrooms and on schoolwork, becoming a pharmacy technician might be the path for you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Whichever you choose, both are helpful jobs. Pharmacists, in particular, are one of the most important safeguards for patients against medication errors or negative interactions. While not licensed to advise patients the way that pharmacists are, pharmacy techs also play a vital role in patient safety.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]Page Last Reviewed: August 15, 2022[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”/articles/what-kind-of-degree-should-a-medical-assistant-have/,/resources//healthcare-degrees-without-clinical-components/,/healthcare/pharmacy-technician/how-to-become/how-to-become/”][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”py-4 my-0 text-center border-b md:pb-8 md:border-none”]You might be interested in[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-layout ids=”76218,76212,76202″][/hen-ui-article-layout]