Occupations: Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy Technicians
Overview of the profession:
Pharmacy technicians are vital in assisting pharmacists with preparing and dispensing prescription medications to patients. Working under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, pharmacy technicians take on tasks such as counting tablets, labeling bottles, managing inventory, and processing insurance claims and payments. Pharmacy technicians also interact directly with patients by gathering medical histories and information needed for prescriptions. Michigan pharmacy technicians can complete education and training through either an approved post-secondary or employer-based training program, which can take approximately eight weeks to six months, depending on the program. As a licensed profession, pharmacy technicians must pass one of two national exams and apply for licensure through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Their work in various settings - such as retail or community stores, hospitals, and long-term care facilities - makes them a crucial part of a healthcare team.
Policy Highlights
Includes recent proposed legislation
Current Pharmacy Technician Workforce Data
We've provided the latest data from Lightcast below. Click on the images to enlarge them and review them in further detail.
2024 Hourly Wages
10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
14.68 | 16.93 | 18.82 | 22.58 | 24.10 |
Top Posted Job Titles
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Pharmacy Technicians
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Certified Pharmacy Technicians
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Pharmacy Technicians-in-Training
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Pharmacy Interns
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Specialty Pharmacy Technicians
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Inpatient Pharmacy Technicians
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Ambulatory Pharmacy Technicians
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Float Pharmacists
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Retail Pharmacy Technicians
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Pharmacy Clerks
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Pharmacy Technician Managers
Index Ranking
Ranked 29th (out of 36) "healthiest" profession according to the 2024 Michigan Healthcare Workforce Index.
Learn more here.
2024 Employment: 14,399
Projected 2034 Employment: 14,943 (+4%)
Highlighted Workforce Initiatives
Name: Flint Healthcare Employment Opportunities (FHEO) Program
Prosperity Region: 6
Description: The Flint Healthcare Employment Opportunities (FHEO) Program is offered through GST Michigan Works! and the Greater Flint Health Coalition. The FHEO Program is designed to increase the number of workers in 10 high-demand healthcare jobs in Genesee County. Examples of high-demand healthcare roles include CNA, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist and respiratory therapist. Program participants receive free tuition to become trained, career advice, support services, job development assistance, and work/life skills training. The FHEO Program has been around since 2002 and is funded by GST Michigan Works! and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
Name: Pharmacy Technician Preparatory Academy
Prosperity Region: 10
Description: This program will take a total of 400 hours to complete. There will be a total of 200 hours of classroom training and 200 hours spent completing an internship at one of the Corewell Health pharmacies. The course will cover pharmacology, pharmacy law, medication safety, pharmaceutical calculations, insurance, third party billing processing, sterile and non-sterile compounding. This program will walk the students through the process of obtaining a temporary license and prepare the students for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. The Pharmacy Technician Preparatory Academy is an ASHP (American Society of Heath-System Pharmacists) accredited program and recognized by the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board).
Name: Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship
Prosperity Region: Statewide
Description: Walgreens' “earn while you learn” Pharmacy Technician Training Program is recognized by ASHP & Department of Labor. This apprenticeship program gives participants an entry point to a career in health care by guiding them in taking steps towards becoming a Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Certified Pharmacy Technician and helping them maintain the high level of skill required in the pharmacy care industry and arming people with a nationally recognized, portable credential that will help you advance your career. This call is open in 547 Walgreens locations around Michigan.
Pharmacy Technician Career Pathway
What are the ways to become a licensed pharmacy technician in Michigan?
There are multiple avenues to become a licensed pharmacy technician in Michigan. Individuals can pursue post-secondary education through a pharmacy technician program approved by either the PTCB or NHA, and pass either the PTCB or NHA exam upon completion of the program. Or individuals may gain practical, on-the-job training through an approved employer-based training program which prepares them to pass the PTCB or NHA exam.
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Pharmacy Technician education through Career and Technical Education programs
High school students who complete an approved pharmacy technician training program through their Career and Technical Education program are eligible to test for a Certified Pharmacy Technician credential. To become licensed, students must submit their exam scores and have graduated from high school or passed a graduate equivalency examination.
