How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Maine
Maine employs approximately 2,070 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,400 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 Maine, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Maine
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Maine? Maine requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy, Retail Drug Outlet, Pharmacy, Mail Order Prescription. The licensing authority is the Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation 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 Maine? Yes. Maine has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Maine? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Maine is $45,400 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,060 and experienced professionals can earn $57,360 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: Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation
- Median wage (Maine): $45,400 per year 1
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Maine
The Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Maine 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | Pharmacy technician or student pharmacist means a person employed by a pharmacy who works in a supportive role under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. |
| Pharmacy, Retail Drug Outlet | Pharmacy means a retail drug outlet registered with the board. |
| Pharmacy, Mail Order Prescription | A mail order prescription pharmacy is an entity that dispenses prescription medications by mail or carrier from a facility not located in the state of Maine to a patient who resides in Maine. |
| Pharmacy Intern, Educated in U.S. or Canada | Pharmacy intern means a person employed by a pharmacy who works in a supportive role under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. |
| Pharmacy Intern, Educated in Foreign Country other than Canada | Pharmacy intern means a person employed by a pharmacy who works in a supportive role to, and under the direct supervision of, a licensed pharmacist. |
| Pharmacist | Pharmacist means an individual licensed by this state to engage in the practice of pharmacy. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Maine
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Maine
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Maine vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | 840 | $46,630 | $47,350 | $37,980 | $59,190 |
| Bangor | 300 | $44,880 | $44,650 | $36,590 | $56,690 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | 130 | $44,200 | $44,930 | $36,500 | $56,980 |
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 Maine
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Maine according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | 840 | $46,630 |
| Bangor | 300 | $44,880 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | 130 | $44,200 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Maine? Maine currently employs approximately 2,070 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 Maine with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Maine? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Maine.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Maine compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Maine is $45,400, which is $1,940 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Licensing Information: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/index.shtml ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |