Do pharmacy technicians need a license in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona requires state-level licensing or registration for pharmacy technicians, administered by the Board of Pharmacy. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Arizona (2026)

Q: How long does pharmacy technician training take in Arizona?

Most people become a Pharmacy Technician in Arizona through a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required.

Q: How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Arizona?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), pharmacy technicians in Arizona earned a median annual wage of approximately $47,640. Employment concentration in Arizona is about 1.32 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Arizona?

Arizona currently employs approximately 12,970 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arizona pharmacy technicians earn a median annual wage of $47,640 ($22.90/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 12,970 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 4.1% above the national median of $45,750 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $47,640 ($22.90/hr)
25th percentile: $45,890 per year
75th percentile: $54,060 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $60,820 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $39,040 per year
Workers employed in Arizona: 12,970
Versus national median: 4.1% above the U.S. median of $45,750
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.32 - this occupation is more concentrated in Arizona than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Arizona employs about 12,970 pharmacy technicians earning a median $47,640 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Pharmacy Technician here means completing a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required, then applying through Board of Pharmacy.

Compare Pharmacy Technician Schools in Arizona

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Carrington College-Phoenix North	60.9	Contact school for pricing	$39,609	62%	Yes*	82 mi
2	Pima Medical Institute-Tucson	57.4	Contact school for pricing	$42,937	72%	—	34 mi
Sponsored Ad
3	Scottsdale Community College	54.7	$2,358 in-state / $8,958 out-of-state	$53,858	17%	Yes*	72 mi
4	Pima Medical Institute-Mesa	53.8	Contact school for pricing	$42,937	67%	—	65 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Pima Community College	53.7	$2,442 in-state / $7,758 out-of-state	$50,345	28%	Yes*	33 mi
6	GateWay Community College-Central City	52.2	Contact school for pricing	$70,264	55%	—	74 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Paradise Valley Community College	51.5	$2,358 in-state / $8,958 out-of-state	$64,729	19%	Yes*	84 mi
8	Central Arizona College	51.4	$2,250 in-state / $4,500 out-of-state	$48,765	27%	Yes*	35 mi
Sponsored Ad
9	Arizona College-Mesa	50.2	Contact school for pricing	$38,251	88%	—	66 mi
10	Bryan University	44.1	$12,219	$39,159	41%	Yes*	70 mi
Sponsored Ad

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Arizona employs approximately 12,970 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,640 ¹. The state’s concentration of pharmacy technician jobs is 1.32x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 49,000 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Pharmacy Technician in Arizona, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training (find programs)
Typical timeline: a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required
Licensing authority: Board of Pharmacy
Exam: PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT
Median wage (Arizona): $47,640 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Arizona

How to become a Pharmacy Technician in Arizona? Complete a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required. Apply through Board of Pharmacy.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Board of Pharmacy.

Do I need a license in Arizona? Yes. Arizona credentials this role through Board of Pharmacy ³. See the licensing section below.

What do pharmacy technicians earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Arizona is $47,640 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,040 and experienced professionals can earn $60,820 or more ¹.

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Arizona

Meet basic requirements. Most Arizona pharmacy technician programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age, background-check, and work-authorization rules with Board of Pharmacy.
Complete a pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training. Finish a certificate or associate program in Arizona, preferably ASHP-accredited, or employer training if the board allows it. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Pass PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT. Many boards and employers require the PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT exam. Confirm which exam Board of Pharmacy accepts.
Register with the state board of pharmacy. Apply through Board of Pharmacy before unsupervised work. Reciprocity, trainee cards, and fees vary; confirm with the board.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Arizona

Pharmacy technicians in Arizona typically complete a short training program, pass PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT, and register with Board of Pharmacy. See Board of Pharmacy ³.

Typical path

Meet the board’s entry rules.
Complete a pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training.
Pass PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT if the board requires a national exam.
Register or license with Board of Pharmacy before unsupervised work.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Board of Pharmacy before you enroll.

Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Arizona vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler	9,780	$47,760	$50,070	$39,410	$60,820
Tucson	1,630	$47,310	$49,590	$37,680	$63,250
Prescott Valley-Prescott	290	$47,000	$48,900	$37,660	$61,480
Lake Havasu City-Kingman	280	$45,890	$45,990	$36,770	$57,470
Yuma	220	$45,050	$45,510	$36,460	$57,630
Flagstaff	130	$48,800	$50,170	$39,510	$59,530
Sierra Vista-Douglas	130	$45,990	$45,150	$36,300	$54,830

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 12,970 pharmacy technicians ¹. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a pharmacy technician in Arizona with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Arizona? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Arizona.

How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Arizona is $47,640, which is $4,180 above the national median of $43,460 according to BLS data ¹.

In Arizona

Best Trade Schools in Arizona (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Arizona

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: https://pharmacy.az.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)