In this Article
By: Emily Polner
Professional insights: Rhea Elizabeth Angeles
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians often work side by side, performing similar duties such as filling prescriptions, conversing with patients, doctors and insurance companies, and keeping pharmacies clean, safe and up to standards.
Despite these similarities, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have different educational backgrounds, job responsibilities and salaries.
Key takeaways
- Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians work together in pharmacy settings but differ significantly in responsibilities, with pharmacists overseeing medication safety and technicians assisting with clerical and preparatory tasks.
- Becoming a pharmacist requires substantially more education and licensing (a Doctor of Pharmacy plus exams) compared to pharmacy technician training, which can range from on-the-job training to a short certificate program.
- Pharmacists earn far higher median salaries than pharmacy technicians, reflecting their advanced scope of practice and responsibilities.
Overview
Pharmacy technicians mainly assist with clerical work within a pharmacy or hospital. Pharmacists are chiefly responsible for ensuring that patients’ medications are filled properly and safely.
“Successful pharmacy technicians are detail-oriented team players, and they have impeccable communication skills,” said Rhea Elizabeth Angeles, PharmD, an executive fellow with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and a former PTCB-certified pharmacy technician (CPhT). “Pharmacy technicians are the backbone of every pharmacy and play a critical role in maintaining a smooth workflow.” Pharmacists, on the other hand, “must be confident, effective leaders with strong moral character, and have the ability to interpret complex information,” Angeles said. “Pharmacists are responsible for utilizing their vast clinical knowledge to ensure the safe and effective use of medications.”
Roles and responsibilities
Both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians speak directly with patients, doctors and insurance companies, but a pharmacist is a supervisor and manager who oversees the work of pharmacy technicians. Here’s a closer look at the roles and responsibilities for each profession.
Pharmacy technician
Pharmacist
Pharmacy technicians and pharmacists work alongside each other in several common settings:
- Chain and independent pharmacies
- Pharmacy departments at retail and grocery stories
- Hospitals
- Outpatient ambulatory healthcare settings
Some pharmacists go on to work in clinical research and development settings or become pharmacy scholars or university professors.
Legally, pharmacy technicians can fill patient prescriptions, so long as they are reviewed by a pharmacist before they are given out. Pharmacy technicians are not permitted to recommend medications to patients, including over-the-counter medications and supplements.
Pharmacist and pharmacy technician education comparison
While there is a slight overlap in the subjects they study, pharmacy technicians and pharmacists have different education backgrounds and requirements.
Pharmacy technician programs are typically one to two years and cover core courses in:
Pharmacists attend six to eight years of school with a foundation in chemistry, biology and math, and advanced courses in subjects such as:
How to get there
Pharmacy technician
In some states, pharmacy technicians must complete a pharmacy technician certificate program or earn an associate degree. These programs help aspiring pharmacy technicians prepare for and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.
In other states, no education beyond a high school diploma is needed. However, previous work experience is highly desired for those who choose not to enroll in a pharmacy technician education program.
Pharmacist
To earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, six to eight years of education are required. There are two degree tracks:
Both tracks include extensive clinical work, interacting with patients and doctors under the guidance of a professional pharmacist.
Licensing and certification differences
Licensing and certification vary by state for pharmacy technicians, but all states require pharmacists to take a national licensing exam and an exam on state law to earn their license and practice.
Pharmacy technician
Licensing requirements are set by states and fall into three categories:
- License/registration required
- National certification and license/registration required
- No license or certification requirements
In states that require certification, pharmacy technicians must pass one of two certification exams. Pharmacy technicians with formal training and those with work experience only can qualify for either one:
- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), which is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
- The Ex Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) exam, which is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Since each state has its own certification requirements, make sure you understand the requirements for the state you’re looking to work in.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists must take two licensing exams after completing a PharmD program:
- The North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX)
- Either the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) or a state jurisprudence exam. You’ll need to contact your state’s licensing board to determine which jurisprudence exam you need to take.
After you’ve taken your exams, you can apply for licensure. Some states may require you to pass a background check, submit proof of your pharmacy internships or complete additional training.
Licensed pharmacists can take exams to earn specialized certifications from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) in any of the following areas:
- Ambulatory care
- Cardiology
- Compounded sterile preparations
- Critical care
- Emergency medicine
- Geriatric
- Infectious diseases
- Nuclear
- Nutrition support
- Oncology
- Pain management
- Pediatric
- Pharmacotherapy
- Pharmacy informatics
- Psychiatric
- Solid organ transplantation
Becoming a pharmacy technician is a great steppingstone to becoming a pharmacist. Many pharmacy technicians make the decision to pursue a PharmD degree after their experiences working in a pharmacy. Entering pharmacy school with hands-on work experience can put you at an advantage over your classmates.
Pharmacist vs. pharmacy technician salaries and job outlook
Given the years of education required to be a pharmacist, plus the responsibilities of the job, it’s no surprise that pharmacists earn significantly more than pharmacy technicians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salaries for pharmacy tech and pharmacist jobs are:
The job outlook for these professions tells a slightly different story. Pharmacy technician jobs are expected to grow by 6.4% through 2034, while roles for pharmacists are expected to grow 4.6% through the same timeframe.
Although employment growth projections for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are fairly similar, the pharmacy job market is evolving in ways that affect where and how these professionals work. Demand for prescription medications continues to rise as the population ages and chronic conditions become more common, which helps support steady job openings in both roles. At the same time, the growth of mail-order and online pharmacies has reduced the need for staffing in some traditional retail locations, contributing to store closures and the expansion of “pharmacy deserts,” particularly in rural and underserved communities.
As a result, many opportunities are shifting away from neighborhood drugstores and toward hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and centralized fulfillment centers. Pharmacists are increasingly focused on clinical services such as vaccinations, medication therapy management and patient counseling, while pharmacy technicians are taking on expanded operational and support responsibilities, including working with automated dispensing systems. While these changes can create new career paths, they also mean that job availability and working conditions may vary significantly depending on location and setting, even when national job growth numbers appear similar.
Which career is right for you?
Pharmacy technician roles are great for those who would like a fulfilling career in healthcare but don’t necessarily want to pursue a four-year degree.
However, if you want a managerial role, a higher starting salary after finishing school or to conduct clinical research, you may be more suited for a career as a pharmacist.
| A pharmacist career might be better for those who… | A pharmacy technician career might be better for those who… |
|---|---|
| …have the time and money to commit to four or more years of education. | …want a more affordable, fast-tracked education lasting about one to two years. |
| …want a significantly higher salary, often exceeding six figures. | …are comfortable with a more modest salary. |
| …are interested in clinical research or working in academia. | …prefer to do behind-the-scenes work with less overall responsibility. |
| …want more opportunities to work in hospitals. | …want more opportunities to work in community pharmacy settings. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pharmacist and a pharmacy technician?
Pharmacists are licensed healthcare professionals who dispense medications and counsel patients, while pharmacy technicians assist with administrative and preparatory tasks under a pharmacist’s supervision.
How long does it take to become a pharmacist vs. a pharmacy technician?
Becoming a pharmacist typically takes a total of six to eight years of education, while pharmacy technicians can often complete training in less than two years and/or learn on the job, depending on their state’s requirements.
Can a pharmacy technician become a pharmacist?
Yes, a pharmacy technician can become a pharmacist by completing the required college coursework, earning a PharmD degree and obtaining licensure. This can be a great option for people who aren’t yet sure they want to commit to a PharmD degree but want an idea of what it’s like to work in a pharmaceutical setting.
Do pharmacy technicians need to go to pharmacy school?
Not exactly. Some states require pharmacy technicians to complete a pharmacy technician program (which is different from a PharmD program required to become a pharmacist), while others do not. It all depends on your state’s laws.
