How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Missouri
Missouri employs approximately 12,610 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $40,100 1. The state’s concentration of pharmacy technician jobs is 1.42x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Missouri, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Missouri
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Missouri? Missouri requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacy Intern, Pharmacist. The licensing authority is the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri 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 Missouri? Yes. Missouri has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Pharmacy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Missouri is $40,100 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,830 and experienced professionals can earn $54,600 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: Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Pharmacy
- Median wage (Missouri): $40,100 per year 1
- Exam requirement: No exam required
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Missouri
The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Missouri 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | An applicant shall apply to the board of pharmacy for registration as a technician. Applicant shall be at least minimum legal working age, pay an appropriate fee, and submit written application. |
| Pharmacy Intern | An applicant for licensure as a pharmacy intern shall be currently enrolled in or graduated from a approved college and that applicant may apply for licensure after the completion of thirty hours of c… |
| Pharmacist | An applicant for licensure by examination shall be 21 years of age, a graduate of a approved school or college of pharmacy, have one year practical experience under supervision from a licensed pharmac… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: No exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Missouri vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 4,980 | $45,220 | $44,680 | $36,020 | $58,730 |
| Kansas City | 3,550 | $45,360 | $45,710 | $35,920 | $59,070 |
| Springfield | 1,020 | $39,490 | $41,570 | $34,790 | $49,370 |
| Columbia | 500 | $37,750 | $41,990 | $31,880 | $53,820 |
| Joplin | 310 | $37,860 | $40,280 | $31,790 | $49,520 |
| St. Joseph | 240 | $36,930 | $41,190 | $33,470 | $55,220 |
| Cape Girardeau | 230 | $35,910 | $39,330 | $34,450 | $49,770 |
| Jefferson City | 200 | $36,410 | $40,240 | $32,220 | $48,830 |
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 Missouri
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Missouri according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 4,980 | $45,220 |
| Kansas City | 3,550 | $45,360 |
| Springfield | 1,020 | $39,490 |
| Columbia | 500 | $37,750 |
| Joplin | 310 | $37,860 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 12,610 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 Missouri with an out-of-state license? Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Missouri? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Missouri.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Missouri is $40,100, which is $3,360 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: http://pr.mo.gov/pharmacists.asp ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |