How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Indiana
Indiana employs approximately 10,790 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,560 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 Indiana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Indiana
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Indiana? Indiana requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacy Tech In-Training, Pharmacy Intern. The licensing authority is the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Pharmacy 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Indiana? Yes. Indiana has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Pharmacy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Indiana is $44,560 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,610 and experienced professionals can earn $54,800 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: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Pharmacy
- Median wage (Indiana): $44,560 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Indiana
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Indiana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | 856 IAC 1-35-4 Qualifications Sec. 4. To be eligible to perform the functions and duties of a pharmacy technician, an individual must possess the following qualifications, which shall be ascertained a… |
| Pharmacy Tech In-Training | 856 IAC 1-35-4 Qualifications Sec. 4. To be eligible to perform the functions and duties of a pharmacy technician, an individual must possess the following qualifications, which shall be ascertained a… |
| Pharmacy Intern | 856 IAC 1-3.1-7 Pharmacist intern/extern; program requirements Sec. 7. |
| Pharmacist | To obtain either a license or certificate, candidates must: Be at least 18 years of age. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Indiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 15,830 | $46,820 | $47,020 | $37,780 | $59,170 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 3,650 | $45,540 | $45,050 | $36,930 | $56,200 |
| Cincinnati | 3,380 | $40,490 | $43,300 | $34,940 | $56,840 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 2,750 | $42,880 | $43,850 | $35,350 | $57,200 |
| Fort Wayne | 640 | $43,070 | $43,450 | $36,520 | $50,200 |
| Evansville | 500 | $44,830 | $44,140 | $36,370 | $49,760 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 380 | $43,410 | $43,870 | $36,520 | $50,180 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 330 | $42,830 | $43,150 | $35,790 | $48,150 |
| Muncie | 260 | $38,200 | $41,310 | $34,930 | $48,300 |
| Bloomington | 240 | $39,270 | $42,150 | $35,940 | $52,000 |
| Elkhart-Goshen | 240 | $46,880 | $45,330 | $36,610 | $55,470 |
| Terre Haute | 220 | $39,820 | $41,790 | $35,190 | $50,260 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 140 | $45,290 | $44,900 | $36,180 | $58,820 |
| Columbus | 110 | $38,370 | $41,880 | $36,940 | $47,790 |
| Kokomo | 110 | $39,400 | $43,040 | $36,770 | $51,970 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Pharmacy technicians in Indiana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Indiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 3,650 | $45,540 |
| Fort Wayne | 640 | $43,070 |
| Evansville | 500 | $44,830 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 380 | $43,410 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 330 | $42,830 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 10,790 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 Indiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Indiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Indiana.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Indiana is $44,560, which is $1,100 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: http://www.in.gov/pla/pharmacy.htm ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |