Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and assist with pharmacy duties, customer service, insurance verification, and physician communications. In the US, a pharmacy technician earns about $31,000 per year, similar to the US dollar equivalent salary in New Zealand of about NZ$44,000 ($32,031 USD), and a bit less than its North American neighbor, Canada, where the annual salary for a pharmacy technician is about C$45,000 ($37,186 USD). Pharmacy technicians in the UK earn about £18,000 ($21,782 USD) per year.
The highest salary among the countries reviewed in this guide are found in Australia where earnings are about AU$50,000 ($40,276 USD), while the lowest are found in South Africa and India at R149,780 ($11,582 USD) and Rs295,898 ($4,626 USD), respectively. Geographic region, professional experience, and work setting influence salaries worldwide as explained in this guide.
How Much Does a Pharmacy Technician Make Per Year?
Average annual salaries with US dollar conversions and hourly wages for pharmacy technicians in select countries worldwide are found in the chart below.
| Pharmacy Technician Salaries | US | Canada | UK | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa |
| Hourly Wage | $13 | C$17 | £9 | AU$21 | NZ$20 | Rs147 | R75 |
| Annual Wage | $31,076 | C$45,241 ($37,186USD) |
£18,099 ($21,782 USD) |
AU$49,987 ($40,276 USD) |
NZ$44,087 ($32,031 USD) |
Rs295,898 ($4,626 USD) |
R149,780 ($11,582 USD) |
Factors that Influence the Pharmacy Technician Salary
A look at pharmacy technician salaries worldwide show that geographic region has a strong effect on salary; however, setting and professional experience also influence overall earnings. The following paragraphs include additional information on salary and working in this career field.
1. Geographic Area
Pharmacy Technician Salary in the US
Pharmacy technicians in the US earn between nearly $19,000 and $50,000 per year. Those at the lower end of the pay scale are typically part-time employees as the average salary for entry level pharmacy technicians is about $25,000 per year while senior level positions garner about $37,000 annually. Bonus potential and profit sharing can reach an additional $6,500 in income. Those who receive an hourly wage earn between $10 and $18 per hour, and overtime pay can add another $14 to $30 per hour for time worked in excess of 40 hours per week.
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Canada
In Canada, pharmacy technicians with under five years’ experience earn about C$32,000 per year. Earnings increase steadily and peak for those with 20 years’ or more experience at C$46,000 annually. Those who work for an hourly wage earn between C$12 and C$26 per hour and overtime pay can add another C$14 to C$41 per hour. There is opportunity to earn another C$5,600 in bonus and profit sharing income.
Pharmacy Technician Salary in the UK
Pharmacy technicians in the UK earn about £18,000 per year if working a full-time salaried position, while those who earn an hourly wage and often work part-time can expect pay between £7 and £11 per hour with another £7 to £20 per hour in overtime pay opportunities. There is little change in salary with additional experience; however, total earnings can be increased through bonus pay that may exceed £2,000.
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Australia
Pharmacy technicians in Australia earn between about AU$35,000 and AU$61,000 per year. There is little change in income with experience during the early career years, but an increase is typical for those with 10 years’ or more experience. Those who earn an hourly wage receive between AU$19 and AU$27 per hour, and overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 per week garners an additional AU$18 to AU$55 per hour. Salaries in Melbourne are slightly more by about 2% over the national average.
Pharmacy Technician Salary in New Zealand
In New Zealand, entry level pharmacy technicians earn about NZ$36,000 per year, increasing with experience to about NZ$46,000 annually for those with 20 years’ or more experience. Those who earn an hourly wage receive between NZ$16 and NZ$23 per hour. Full time is viewed as 36 to 40 hours per week, depending on the employer, and overtime pay can boost overall earnings another NZ$33 per hour. There are opportunities for bonus, and while the potential is low, can add another NZ$300 to overall earnings.
Pharmacy Technician Salary in India
Salaries for pharmacy technicians in India range from Rs126,000 to more than Rs606,000 per year. Those receiving an hourly wage can expect roughly Rs147 per hour. Some employers offer bonus opportunities that can add another Rs20,000 to overall earnings each year.
Pharmacy Technician Salary in South Africa
Entry level pharmacy technicians in South Africa earn about R141,000 per year in base salary compared to their senior level colleagues who receive about R248,000 per year. The average annual salary is about R150,000, equating to an hourly wage of about R75 per hour. Bonus pay can add another R13,000 to overall earnings.
2. Experience
Experience affects salaries at varying degrees from country to country. For example, in the US and Canada, the difference in pay between entry level and senior level positions is between 44% and 48%. In Australia, where salaries are the highest among the countries reviewed for this guide, annual salaries for senior level positions are 74% more than those for entry level positions. In the UK, there is little to no difference in pay, regardless of experience. The greatest increase in income is seen in India, where salaries are the lowest, as senior level salaries are about Rs406,000 per year more than entry level pay, equating to a growth rate of 381%.
3. Industry
Pharmacy technicians work in hospitals and pharmacies located in retail and mail order settings. Work setting can influence salary greatly as hospital pharmacy technicians earn about 50% more in Canada and 10% more in the UK. Mail order pharmacies in the US provide higher salaries by about 18% compared to other work settings. Although hospital employment may garner higher pay, nonprofit institutions may not offer bonus and profit sharing income that can be found in retail settings.
Working Hours
Many pharmacy technicians work full-time during typical business hours from through Monday through Friday; however, retail pharmacies are frequently open during evening and weekend hours and some offer 24-hour availability. Those employed by hospitals are subject to a schedule of any day of week or time of day to patient 24-hour care and necessary medications for treatment. There also are many part-time employment opportunities and flexible schedules.
Bonuses and Benefit Packages
A comprehensive healthcare benefits package and paid time off for holiday, vacation, and sick time is often proved to pharmacy technicians who work a full-time schedule. These benefits may not be offered to part-time employees or may be provided on a lower scale. Overtime pay is common for time worked in excess of 36 to 40 hours per week. Many employers offer bonus pay opportunities, and some also offer profit sharing potential.
Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a growth rate of 9% in the field of pharmacy technicians due to an aging global population and advancements in medicine, treatment, and pharmaceuticals. A career as a pharmacy technician requires a high school education or the equivalent; however, those with a one to two-year pharmacy technician certification may be more competitive for positions.
Conclusion
Pharmacy technician salaries are less when compared to other healthcare positions; however, the required level of education and training are less and correspond to lower earnings. Employment within the pharmacy technician field is solid with bonus and benefits typically provided to full-time employees and strong growth expected in the coming years. While many pharmacy technicians work full-time schedules, there are ample opportunities for part-time employment and flexible schedules.
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