How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Louisiana (2026)
Louisiana employs about 6,700 pharmacy technicians earning a median $44,410 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 Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Louisiana): $44,410/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Louisiana: 6,700 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.14x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 6.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
- Licensing/credentialing body: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana Board of Pharmacy (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)
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Compare Pharmacy Technician Schools in Louisiana
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Infinity College | 86.3 | Contact school for pricing | $33,217 | 87% | Yes* | 52 mi |
| 2 | Central Louisiana Technical Community College | 57.4 | Contact school for pricing | $34,374 | 72% | Yes* | 47 mi |
| 3 | Baton Rouge Community College | 43.7 | Contact school for pricing | $45,313 | Not reported | Yes* | 52 mi |
| 4 | Louisiana Delta Community College | 41.3 | Contact school for pricing | $37,409 | 29% | Yes* | 106 mi |
| 5 | Delta College Inc | 37.4 | Contact school for pricing | $32,032 | Not reported | — | 105 mi |
| 6 | Unitech Training Academy-Lafayette | 35.5 | Contact school for pricing | $27,850 | 59% | Yes* | 59 mi |
| 7 | Fortis College-Baton Rouge | 29.1 | Contact school for pricing | $39,556 | 48% | — | 52 mi |
| 8 | Unitech Training Academy-Alexandria | 28.0 | Contact school for pricing | $27,850 | 61% | — | 46 mi |
| 9 | Unitech Training Academy-West Monroe | 27.8 | Contact school for pricing | $27,850 | 65% | — | 108 mi |
| 10 | Remington College-Lafayette Campus | 23.0 | Contact school for pricing | $33,677 | Not reported | — | 59 mi |
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.
Louisiana employs approximately 6,700 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,410 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 Louisiana, 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: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana Board of Pharmacy
- Exam: PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT
- Median wage (Louisiana): $44,410 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Louisiana
How to become a Pharmacy Technician in Louisiana? 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 Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana 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 Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
Do I need a license in Louisiana? Yes. Louisiana credentials this role through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana Board of Pharmacy 3. See the licensing section below.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Louisiana? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Louisiana is $44,410 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,100 and experienced professionals can earn $52,920 or more 1.
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Louisiana
- Meet basic requirements. Most Louisiana pharmacy technician programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age, background-check, and work-authorization rules with Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
- Complete a pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training. Finish a certificate or associate program in Louisiana, 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 Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana Board of Pharmacy accepts.
- Register with the state board of pharmacy. Apply through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Pharmacy technicians in Louisiana typically complete a short training program, pass PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT, and register with Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. See Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana 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 Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana Board of Pharmacy before unsupervised work.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana Board of Pharmacy before you enroll.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Louisiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie | 1,410 | $46,020 | $45,270 | $37,300 | $56,580 |
| Baton Rouge | 1,160 | $45,550 | $45,000 | $36,270 | $55,150 |
| Lafayette | 690 | $40,180 | $43,060 | $36,200 | $50,390 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | 640 | $44,890 | $44,950 | $37,130 | $56,420 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | 450 | $45,700 | $44,500 | $37,160 | $50,170 |
| Monroe | 380 | $39,160 | $40,790 | $30,640 | $48,270 |
| Alexandria | 320 | $39,830 | $42,220 | $32,490 | $54,620 |
| Lake Charles | 290 | $41,520 | $42,160 | $32,490 | $49,900 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | 260 | $44,650 | $42,230 | $33,890 | $49,720 |
| Hammond | 180 | $42,790 | $42,260 | $35,760 | $49,410 |
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 Louisiana? Louisiana currently employs approximately 6,700 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 Louisiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Louisiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Louisiana.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Louisiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Louisiana is $44,410, which is $950 above the national median of $43,460 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: https://www.pharmacy.la.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) |