How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Arkansas
Arkansas employs approximately 4,560 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,680 1. 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 Arkansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Arkansas
How to become a pharmacy technician in Arkansas? Arkansas requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacist Intern, Pharmacist. The licensing authority is the Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 2 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Arkansas? Yes. Arkansas has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Arkansas is $38,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,400 and experienced professionals can earn $48,620 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy
- Median wage (Arkansas): $38,680 per year 1
- Exam requirement: No exam required
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Arkansas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | Pharmacy Technicians assist the pharmacist in pharmaceutical services. All tasks performed by the pharmacy technician must be supervised, checked, and approved by a supervising pharmacist. |
| Pharmacist Intern | Pharmacist Interns mix and dispense prescribed medicines and pharmaceutical preparations under the personal supervision of a pharmacist. |
| Pharmacist | Most Pharmacists work in community pharmacies compounding and dispensing drugs and medicines prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: No exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 2,090 | $45,260 | $45,070 | $36,710 | $57,230 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 1,370 | $38,860 | $42,220 | $35,870 | $53,930 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 810 | $44,320 | $44,320 | $36,250 | $58,050 |
| Fort Smith | 310 | $38,770 | $40,180 | $34,770 | $47,630 |
| Jonesboro | 260 | $38,240 | $40,070 | $32,040 | $47,920 |
| Texarkana | 200 | $38,190 | $40,750 | $31,530 | $49,380 |
| Hot Springs | 160 | $37,960 | $41,000 | $34,210 | $48,940 |
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 .
Top Metros for Pharmacy technicians in Arkansas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Arkansas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 1,370 | $38,860 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 810 | $44,320 |
| Fort Smith | 310 | $38,770 |
| Jonesboro | 260 | $38,240 |
| Hot Springs | 160 | $37,960 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 4,560 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 Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arkansas.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Arkansas is $38,680, which is $4,780 below the national median of $43,460 according to BLS data 1.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: https://www.pharmacyboard.arkansas.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |