How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in North Carolina
North Carolina employs approximately 17,260 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,530 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 North Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in North Carolina
How do I become a pharmacy technician in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacy, Pharmacist by Examination. The licensing authority is the NC 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 North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The NC Board of Pharmacy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in North Carolina is $44,530 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,820 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: NC Board of Pharmacy
- Median wage (North Carolina): $44,530 per year 1
- Exam requirement: No exam required
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in North Carolina
The NC Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in North Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | A pharmacy technician is a person who may, under the supervision of a pharmacist, perform technical functions to assist the pharmacist in preparing and dispensing prescription medications. |
| Pharmacy | Each pharmacy within North Carolina must obtain a permit from the Board. |
| Pharmacist by Examination | A license to practice pharmacy in North Carolina may be obtained by graduating from an ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy, obtaining 1,500 hours of internship credit (for Pharm.D. |
| Pharmacist by Reciprocity | The Board may issue a license to practice pharmacy without examination to any person who is licensed as a pharmacist in another jurisdiction if the applicant presents satisfactory evidence of possessi… |
| Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner | A licensed pharmacist who is authorized to initiate, modify, and discontinue drug therapy and order certain laboratory tests under the supervision of one or more physicians. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: No exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,970 | $46,220 | $45,180 | $36,240 | $58,860 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 2,430 | $46,130 | $44,860 | $36,920 | $55,580 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 1,990 | $43,930 | $44,470 | $36,340 | $57,600 |
| Winston-Salem | 1,540 | $45,770 | $47,360 | $35,380 | $62,820 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 1,380 | $47,350 | $47,470 | $38,110 | $59,130 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 1,240 | $44,930 | $43,870 | $35,960 | $57,360 |
| Asheville | 680 | $45,160 | $45,000 | $36,030 | $56,440 |
| Wilmington | 670 | $44,300 | $44,420 | $35,940 | $62,620 |
| Fayetteville | 580 | $46,490 | $47,340 | $35,720 | $62,520 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 580 | $43,920 | $43,460 | $35,160 | $51,070 |
| Greenville | 370 | $45,310 | $44,290 | $35,080 | $57,980 |
| Burlington | 240 | $41,490 | $41,010 | $34,340 | $48,470 |
| Rocky Mount | 220 | $40,700 | $41,620 | $34,790 | $49,950 |
| Jacksonville | 170 | $40,710 | $41,500 | $33,510 | $50,250 |
| Goldsboro | 160 | $42,030 | $41,610 | $34,670 | $49,860 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | 160 | $43,150 | $43,440 | $35,970 | $49,890 |
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 North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,970 | $46,220 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 2,430 | $46,130 |
| Winston-Salem | 1,540 | $45,770 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 1,380 | $47,350 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 1,240 | $44,930 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 17,260 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 North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Carolina.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in North Carolina is $44,530, which is $1,070 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: https://www.ncbop.org ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |