How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Kansas
Kansas employs approximately 4,270 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $43,310 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 Kansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Kansas
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Kansas? Kansas requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacist. The licensing authority is the Kansas State 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 Kansas? Yes. Kansas has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Kansas State Board of Pharmacy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Kansas? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Kansas is $43,310 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,800 and experienced professionals can earn $56,160 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: Kansas State Board of Pharmacy
- Median wage (Kansas): $43,310 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Kansas
The Kansas State Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Kansas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | Pharmacy technicians prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders. |
| Pharmacist | Pharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Kansas
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Kansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Kansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 3,550 | $45,360 | $45,710 | $35,920 | $59,070 |
| Wichita | 860 | $39,810 | $43,320 | $35,550 | $54,190 |
| Topeka | 350 | $46,590 | $47,850 | $35,310 | $67,180 |
| Joplin | 310 | $37,860 | $40,280 | $31,790 | $49,520 |
| St. Joseph | 240 | $36,930 | $41,190 | $33,470 | $55,220 |
| Lawrence | 180 | $39,620 | $42,540 | $33,380 | $50,220 |
| Manhattan | 150 | $39,640 | $41,840 | $31,810 | $53,930 |
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 Kansas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Kansas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita | 860 | $39,810 |
| Topeka | 350 | $46,590 |
| Lawrence | 180 | $39,620 |
| Manhattan | 150 | $39,640 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Kansas? Kansas currently employs approximately 4,270 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 Kansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Kansas State Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Kansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Kansas.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Kansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Kansas is $43,310, which is $150 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Kansas State Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: https://pharmacy.ks.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) |