How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Montana
Montana employs approximately 1,340 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,400 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 Montana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Montana
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Montana? Montana requires credentials such as Pharmacy - Certified Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacy - Technician in Training, Pharmacy - Pharmacist. The licensing authority is the 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 Montana? Yes. Montana has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Board of Pharmacy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Montana? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Montana is $49,400 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,330 and experienced professionals can earn $60,780 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: Board of Pharmacy
- Median wage (Montana): $49,400 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Montana
The Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Montana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy - Certified Pharmacy Technician | Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists provide medicines and other health care products to patients. |
| Pharmacy - Technician in Training | Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists provide medicines and other health care products to patients. |
| Pharmacy - Pharmacist | Pharmacists dispense medications that are prescribed by doctors and other health care workers. |
| Pharmacy - Pharmacist Intern | Pharmacists dispense medications that are prescribed by doctors and other health care workers. |
| Pharmacy - Prescription Drug Registry | This is the registration to access the Montana Prescription Drug Registry (MPDR). |
| Pharmacy - Dangerous Drug Researcher | These are pharmacists who are licensed to do research with drugs that are restricted in use. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Montana
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Montana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 290 | $48,820 | $49,130 | $38,510 | $58,840 |
| Missoula | 230 | $48,570 | $48,900 | $37,730 | $61,560 |
| Bozeman | 130 | $54,750 | $54,170 | $44,470 | $60,720 |
| Great Falls | 120 | $49,110 | $49,600 | $38,750 | $58,800 |
| Helena | 110 | $49,910 | $53,910 | $39,030 | $71,030 |
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 Montana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Montana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | 290 | $48,820 |
| Missoula | 230 | $48,570 |
| Bozeman | 130 | $54,750 |
| Great Falls | 120 | $49,110 |
| Helena | 110 | $49,910 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 1,340 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 Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Montana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Montana.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Montana is $49,400, which is $5,940 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/pha ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |