How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Minnesota
Minnesota employs approximately 7,340 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,300 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 Minnesota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Minnesota
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Minnesota? Minnesota requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technician Registration, Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PMB), Pharmacist Preceptor Registration. The licensing authority is the Minnesota 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 Minnesota? Yes. Minnesota has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Minnesota is $48,300 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,110 and experienced professionals can earn $62,080 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: Minnesota Board of Pharmacy
- Median wage (Minnesota): $48,300 per year 1
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Minnesota
The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Minnesota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician Registration | Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Review: Technician Registration (New) Technician Renewal None |
| Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PMB) | “Pharmacy benefit manager” means a person, business, or ??other entity that contracts with a plan sponsor to perform pharmacy benefits management. |
| Pharmacist Preceptor Registration | Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Review Preceptor Registration & Renewal None |
| Pharmacist-Intern Registration | Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Review Intern Registration None |
| Pharmacist License | Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Review: Pharmacist Applicant Pharmacist License Reinstatement Pharmacist Renewal None |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Minnesota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 4,670 | $48,520 | $49,500 | $38,240 | $61,790 |
| Sioux Falls | 600 | $45,610 | $44,940 | $38,050 | $54,520 |
| Rochester | 430 | $50,730 | $55,490 | $43,870 | $71,400 |
| Fargo | 430 | $45,390 | $47,320 | $37,980 | $60,080 |
| Duluth | 400 | $47,510 | $48,020 | $37,040 | $58,330 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 350 | $45,880 | $45,860 | $35,180 | $56,620 |
| St. Cloud | 290 | $46,270 | $48,570 | $37,020 | $61,190 |
| Mankato | 130 | $48,400 | $47,710 | $37,320 | $60,240 |
| Grand Forks | 90 | $47,110 | $47,710 | $37,830 | $58,760 |
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 Minnesota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Minnesota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 4,670 | $48,520 |
| Rochester | 430 | $50,730 |
| Duluth | 400 | $47,510 |
| St. Cloud | 290 | $46,270 |
| Mankato | 130 | $48,400 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 7,340 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 Minnesota with an out-of-state license? Contact the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Minnesota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Minnesota.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Minnesota is $48,300, which is $4,840 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Minnesota Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: http://www.phcybrd.state.mn.us/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |