pharmacy technician salary

Sara in Los Angeles, California said: May I ask how long did you wait for your Ca. license to arrive.? I get different answers from individuals, the application say up to 90 working days, some people took even as long as 8 months.? do you mind share with your experience with the board of pharmacy from California. thanks.

It took me about four months and seven days.

Sara in Los Angeles, California said: May I ask how long did you wait for your Ca. license to arrive.? I get different answers from individuals, the application say up to 90 working days, some people took even as long as 8 months.? do you mind share with your experience with the board of pharmacy from California. thanks.

I found my name on CA pharmacy tech board last wk which I applied last December 10. I got a license number. But the real license mail back should be wait at least another two weeks. Good luck to you!

Aracely in Fresno, California said: I'm taking the Pharmacy Tech. course right now, and as I'm reading these comments I'm starting to be real skeptical on continuing my course. I want to know is it really that important for one to have experience in the field so that one can get hired, and how is one to get experience if no one will hire you? Don't employers know that one is not going to have experience if they just finished school? Is it worth it to take the exam to become certified, and what is the pay difference?

Many programs give u externships w/pharmacies who will be able to see your skills on the job. Many will hire you after you are done with school if they need a tech & you stand out to them while doing you're externship with them. Otherwise, it counts as experience.

KH in Elk Grove, California said: Many programs give u externships w/pharmacies who will be able to see your skills on the job. Many will hire you after you are done with school if they need a tech & you stand out to them while doing you're externship with them. Otherwise, it counts as experience.

BTW, hospitals pay much more than retail.

I made $9.17 an hour when I left CVS...I transitioned to a hospital gig which pays $16.53 an hour. Cut your teeth in retail, then get out. That's the only way to make any money.

p.t could make more money, if the techs were on the same page about the pay!! p.t should ask for more money. if you live in the south ask for $ 16.00 up north ask for $ 18.00 and out west ask for $ 20.00 this should be the starting pay . dont let hospitals and the drug stores dictat your pay!!!!

SO HOW MUCH SHOULD PHARMACY TECH START OUT MAKING IF THEY JUST TOOK THE PTCB?

ty , p.t start off around $ 9.00 a hours but the reason why is because not enough p.t demand more money so thats why drug stores and hospitals dont pay .. like i said all p.t have to be on the same page when it comes to pay and demand more and not take less !!!

And you are so right. Because I live in Atlants, GA and I can't find any jobs out there.

if you're in the medical field i don't care if you're a cna , p.t dialysis tech , lpn , dental assistant phlebotomist tech, are what ever you should'nt earn no less then $ 15.00 but folks do because most people settle for less when they should'nt like i said we all have to be on the same page when it comes to pay !!!! sometimes you just have to put your foot down !!!

ARE YOU A PHARMACY TECH IN GA???

i'm going to school to be a dialysis tech , but my cousin is pharmacist and she said that p.t should be making more money !!

IS SHE IN THE ATLANTA AREA BECAUSE I BEEN LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO DO MY INTERNSHIP???

There are a lot of factors that go into the wages--one of the better places to work around here is a retail place in which the techs are in a union....so there is no negotiating of pay....but htere are benefits, which are WAY more important. So the "just ask for more money" is unrealistic. The place pays better than any other retail in the area.

kristen may I ask where you reside and what your wage is as pht

LOL How are you doing?

David Scurlock in Eden Prairie, Minnesota said: its been a 1 1/2 years for me, maybe even 2 - I just called a hospital to volunteer in their pharmacy, hopefully I will start sometime after thanksgiving...someone told me this one dsy "lower your standards" so I have :)

OMG!
I just saw this post and boy oh boy Mr. who's paying the bills for you? Eden Prairie, Mn? Oh ya your living in the projects there, right? Obviously you've had the luxury of living with high standards and may you be blessed with your own advice.

NTM in Tacoma, Washington said: LOL How are you doing?

Hi! Oh still abit pissy as I'm finding that I'm either to experienced or to old to get a job. I suppose according to Kristen I should be "expecting" no less than $30.00/hour right? lol

Apparently, if we just ask, we shall receive. :) My spouse is having trouble with the "too many years experience" in this economy as well. I'm hoping things turn around soon.

theangetech if u wanna work your butt off for nothing go right ahead what ever floats your boat!!! ......lol

I'm sorry to hear, its so frustrating. I called Human Resources on a position I applied as "NOT EVEN A INTERVIEW"???? Upon asking questions trying to figure out WHY? 19yrs experience means nothing? Perhaps AGE? She couldn't come up with a logical explanation except for she was the one who put my application in "file 13" I had her so flustered she became angry and hung up on me. The position has been available 4 times since as those being hired quit right away. Hmmmmm..... If I were a betting girl, I'd bet lil Ms. HR isn't doing a very good job sorting applications. lol

i just think that p.t shouldnt sell their self short .. because if u do these hospitals and drugs store will keep on useing p.t making them work their butss off for nothing!!!

Study hard, exercise, say your prayers and eat your vitamins. I would appreciate you working long hours, making big bucks along with your demanding personality to your white collar superiors. You tell'em, alright.
Please ask all your friends to do the same, as many as you can get. Why? FOR ALL THE YEARS "I HAVE" WORKED MY BUTT OFF! You are my future paycheck, ya know Social Security? That money that we all pay in for working our butts off for years and years...I got myself a healthy stash, how about you? Think I'll gather all my "work our butts off" friends to try and clean that account out
while your working cause your earnings should keep it alive by the time you retire. Now be nice and stop disrespecting your elders.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET YOUR LICENSE FROM STATE OF CALIFORNIA ONCE YOUR MAIL OFF YOUR APPLICATION PACKET TO SACRAMENTO? THE WEB SITE SAYS 60 TO 90 DAYS BUT WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE?

I don't see anywhere on the site where it days 60-90 days. Can you let me know where you seen that? And sorry I can't answer. I am also waiting for my license. I know it will show online first. I've been offered a job at a hospital and was told I can start when it shows up online. I also called and the automated system tells you what applications are being processed. Right now applications received feb 2nd- march 8th are being processed. It also says that the process time is 2 months or less if there are no problems. And it says if you wanna know if they received your application you can do so by checking to see if the check you sent has been cashed. Hope this helps!

Socalgals in So cal, California said: I don't see anywhere on the site where it days 60-90 days.

hey socalgals

check the following link and find the PDF file for pharmacy technician and you will see the 90 days.

www.pharmacy.ca.gov/applicants/apply_for_a_license.shtml

maybe i am just lucky, i sent my in in early jan. 2011, saw my name in Board of Pharmacy in mid. Feb. and two weeks later at the end of Feb. i received my state certificate.

Oh, I can't wait. I hope mine shows up that quick. I just finished my paperwork for the job I was offered. I was offered $16 an hour. I think that is pretty fair. Especially since it is a new career for me. Thanks for the link! And I'll be sure to check online often.

Please help, I paid over a thousand dollars for a Pharmacy Tech course
at a college only to find out, from my teacher he barley passed
Pharmacy school and was a c student in math. I went to take a practice test and did not know anything on the test and failed the math part. The school stole my cash. There was nothing on the test that my school taught me .I decided Im going to have to study my self school is a waist of time. I went on the Official Pharmacy website to find study materials and realized I
do not know what to buy. I was told working at a Pharmacy is the
best way but I have been un lucky and when I do find a position open they say I must be certified. Please help direct me on the best way to study at home that works so I can pass the test. I can
not afford to pay for study materials that do not work . Please email me at expressivework@gmail.com. This forum is my last hope.

get a pharmacology book, a pharmacy math book, anatomy book, a practice cert test book, medical terminology, top 200 drug list including their generic and trade name use interactions etc., and brush up on general business practice.

I spent fifteen thousand for pharmacy tech course!

Socalgals in So cal, California said: I don't see anywhere on the site where it days 60-90 days. Can you let me know where you seen that? And sorry I can't answer. I am also waiting for my license. I know it will show online first. I've been offered a job at a hospital and was told I can start when it shows up online. I also called and the automated system tells you what applications are being processed. Right now applications received feb 2nd- march 8th are being processed. It also says that the process time is 2 months or less if there are no problems. And it says if you wanna know if they received your application you can do so by checking to see if the check you sent has been cashed. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the info . I am also in the same position. Well I just mailed it 1 week ago. The actual application says 90 days but the web site says 60 days. I am positive I have no mistakes so hopefully soon!

Pharm_Tech_Is_Getting_No_Where in Fountain Valley, California said: hey socalgals

check the following link and find the PDF file for pharmacy technician and you will see the 90 days.

www.pharmacy.ca.gov/applicants/apply_for_a_license.shtml

maybe i am just lucky, i sent my in in early jan. 2011, saw my name in Board of Pharmacy in mid. Feb. and two weeks later at the end of Feb. i received my state certificate.

thanks for the info just seems like Caifornia takes forever. PTCB came in 10 days and i took it on a Saturday.

I live in barrie ontario working for a very busy retail pharmacy as a pharmacy technician for the past 18 years. I make $23.50 per hour. Not alot of companys pay this amount (in retail) Experience got me to where im at today. I am currently taking my bridging program hoping that this will help me get farther ahead. we shall see!!!

how much should I explect as pharm tch in San Diego? which field get higher? mail order? Does anybody can tell me where can I start as a new graduate and have potential? I was suffer at here since I got my license in Jan. (three month)I was tired to look at computer all day long. It's drive my crazy, crazy............

xoxo in San Diego, California said: how much should I explect as pharm tch in San Diego? which field get higher? mail order? Does anybody can tell me where can I start as a new graduate and have potential? I was suffer at here since I got my license in Jan. (three month)I was tired to look at computer all day long. It's drive my crazy, crazy............

You are not the only one who is going nuts here. I got my license since October 04,2010 and I applied everywhere I could. Even the pharmacy that I interned at would not hire me even though I met their expectations. The only position that I know that would hire us would be if the position said trainee. As of now I applied as a pharmacy tech trainee at a hospital and still waiting for a response.

Thank you comfort me. The reason why job field so slow I think is school keeps make new one every semester, and we didn't be digested. Pharm doesn't take any volunteer. I even try pharm clerk and temporary. They doesn't take volunteer. I also have four yrs insurance experience. I pass PTCB. It still sucks to start from zero. I need money to support life. I spend time to get education so hard but turn out.....If you get response from apply this time remenber study and prepare all quizes before get interview. Keep close fingers with you! Any good info pl share with me. THANKS!

Nai in Fresno, California said: WEll i work for walgreens here in visalia,ca and been there for 3 years. i started at $13.25 and currently with ptcb certified is at $18.25, i make a little over 40k because of he overtime, sometimes 30+ hr overtime.

learn how to spell! I dont know what the hell you are saying

Cardwell in Wimberley, Texas said: i was interested in becoming a PT. i live here in Austin. wanted to get in touch with you by email and know what college you attended or online courses you took to become one. also how hard was it to find and externship? my email is cardwell419@yahoo.com...thanks

i live in austin too & thinking of doing PT....but here in forum i don't see people from austin much doing PT....is it so hard to get job in here ???? or they just don't have time to post in these forum because they are so busy doing their job.....any idea???? coz, i don't want to waste my money & time from where i can get nothing in return....please help....me...ankita2singh@yahoo.com

I got my ptcb on April 4 and I just had an interview at target today with aManger and the pharmacist. I think I did good hopefully I get it I think they mentioned the starting pay to be 11.00 an hour with no experience and of course certified. I'm in phoenix, AZ.

Socalgals in So cal, California said: Oh, I can't wait. I hope mine shows up that quick. I just finished my paperwork for the job I was offered. I was offered $16 an hour. I think that is pretty fair. Especially since it is a new career for me. Thanks for the link! And I'll be sure to check online often.

STILL WAITING APPARENTLY PROCESSING BUT I AM NOT SURE. IN 19 DAYS ITS GOING TO BE 3 MONTHS SINCE THE GOT MY APP

Any techs in Colorado? How's the pay and opportunities?

Hey guys, this is from an interview on my site done by a Pharmacy Tech. Hope it helps ya'll some with your pay discussion as this interview includes how much money they make(among other good info).

www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-pharmacy-technician/

i paid 1K for Pharm Tech class (including the books) and like $150 externship fee

somebody in Westlake Village, California said: i paid 1K for Pharm Tech class (including the books) and like $150 externship fee

Looks like you wasted $1150. I paid only to take the test.

Lol true, but I gotta job right out of school....and a pretty nice PTCB score

I was just saying that to people who pay ten times that much or more. It was just a 12 week, twice a week class too

theangrytech in Fargo, North Dakota said: Study hard, exercise, say your prayers and eat your vitamins. I would appreciate you working long hours, making big bucks along with your demanding personality to your white collar superiors. You tell'em, alright.
Please ask all your friends to do the same, as many as you can get. Why? FOR ALL THE YEARS "I HAVE" WORKED MY BUTT OFF! You are my future paycheck, ya know Social Security? That money that we all pay in for working our butts off for years and years...I got myself a healthy stash, how about you? Think I'll gather all my "work our butts off" friends to try and clean that account out
while your working cause your earnings should keep it alive by the time you retire. Now be nice and stop disrespecting your elders.

I hope you realize there won't be social security very soon and are saving up a separate "healthy stash" because your previous contributions will be paid to others and you will not be receiving that check when you retire.

Aracely in Fresno, California said: I'm taking the Pharmacy Tech. course right now, and as I'm reading these comments I'm starting to be real skeptical on continuing my course. I want to know is it really that important for one to have experience in the field so that one can get hired, and how is one to get experience if no one will hire you? Don't employers know that one is not going to have experience if they just finished school? Is it worth it to take the exam to become certified, and what is the pay difference?

Most are not requiring experience. But you must get certified in a year or work as Pharmacy Aide.

Go to the army. I joined the army training to become a pharmacy technician. I attend a six month course to prepare me to work in compounding, inpatient, outpatient, and stocking. It is a tough course though, they teach you 1000 of drugs and the how the drug goes into your system. It is really good if your looking for a future in pharmacy. Im inpatient and outpatient certified, and its all free. =)

I work at Walgreens as a CphT. I would never recommend for anyone to go to college to get certified, it's a waste of time. I got my job with NO experience and NO certification or schooling. And many pharmacies don't require a certification.. at my job there are only about 5 technicians who actually took the PTCB. But Walgreens in particular does on-site training which is about a week long. About 2 years after I started I took PTCB classes through Walgreens to get certified. (Which they also paid for AND paid me to attend) Also, you get a raise after you are certified so its almost better to start with no experience. My advice would be to just stalk the Walgreens or CVS stores in your area until there are openings. The staff at retail stores is constantly changing but it's usually in very small gaps because when they hire, they hire many people and don't have openings again for a very long time. (Best bet is in the fall when students are going back to school or moving on to pharmacy school)

If you want to take the PTCB test on your own, it's about 100 bucks to take. There are a LOT of math (dosage and compounding) questions. Make sure you know conversions as well. The rest is a mix of state/national laws, drug usage and generics, and hospital pharmacy (IVs and such..). Hope this helps, and good luck to everyone! :)

mimi178 in Spokane, Washington said: in my own opinion, i think it is not important for one to have went to pharm tech school in order to get hired. when hired, the company will train you anyways and when you are in school, you don't get that experience. i think you need connections. pharm tech jobs don't get paid a LOT, but in order to get in the door of this career path, you need to know people. i know a few people that started working in the front end of the store and when there are openings, they were then recommended by managers/colleagues. if you still can't find a job, i would recommend jut get a job as a cashier, and when there are openings, then apply from within. if the store you get hired is union, it is against union rules to hire from outside when a position opens up so you have better chances. go talk to the pharm managers in person. let them know you are interested. if you just send in application, you are just another application to them. in my pharmacy, our manager spends less than 5 mins looking over applications. when she's looking, she's looking at mainly experience and availability. no one really wants to spend all day every day training someone. it's just too much of a hassle compared to someone who already know the stuff.

I am not a pharmacist but looking at the overall job market it is dog eat dog so to speak, the bet thing to do is think outside of the box when it come getting a job that you went to school for....lets say like you are a pharm tech then look into opening up a store that will have an na inventory closely related to you area of training....Guess what?..I know a company that is rock solid and willing to invest money in opening a store with you as the manager/operator....you have no expenses other than....but you must be able to pass a background check,be of good character,honest/trustworthy. Want to know more email me and I will fill you in on the details. dougmul@windstream.net

Jenny in Buffalo Grove, Illinois said: I work at Walgreens as a CphT. I would never recommend for anyone to go to college to get certified, it's a waste of time. I got my job with NO experience and NO certification or schooling. And many pharmacies don't require a certification..

Hiring practices and wages are different in every area. Those who are interested in this field should check what the official (and unofficial) requirements are where they live.

In my area you may be able to get a Pharm Aide/Tech job without training but you most likely will not make more than $8/hr. Recently more and more employers want you to already be PTCB certified, have at least 2 years experience and be proficient with their computer system before they will even consider interviewing you. Even then you are only looking at $10/hr, which is not a living wage for an adult here, especially if you have children. It seems unfair but someone who has no training or experience but speaks a second language will be hired over someone with formal training. As for Hospital jobs, you have to compete with PharmD students for tech jobs and usually need to be cert for consideration.

Tech schools here sell their program by telling you you will make between $13 & $18 right out of school but that is the exception not the norm. I know a CPhT with 12 years experience who only makes $12.75/hr and an uncertified tech with 6 years experience who has never made more than $8.00. The more experience, education and motivation you have, the more successful you will be. Pay rates and requirements vary widely accross the country. California seems to have the highest pay rate for techs but require no training which is amazing to me.