Do pharmacy technicians need a license in Oregon?

Yes. Oregon requires state-level licensing or registration for pharmacy technicians, administered by the Board of Pharmacy. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon (2026)

Q: How long does pharmacy technician training take in Oregon?

Most people become a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon through a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required.

Q: How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Oregon?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), pharmacy technicians in Oregon earned a median annual wage of approximately $54,900. Employment concentration in Oregon is roughly 0.72 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Oregon?

Oregon currently employs approximately 4,320 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Oregon pharmacy technicians earn a median annual wage of $54,900 ($26.39/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 4,320 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 20.0% above the national median of $45,750 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $54,900 ($26.39/hr)
25th percentile: $48,190 per year
75th percentile: $62,560 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $68,000 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $44,530 per year
Workers employed in Oregon: 4,320
Versus national median: 20.0% above the U.S. median of $45,750
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.72 - this occupation is less concentrated in Oregon than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Oregon employs about 4,320 pharmacy technicians earning a median $54,900 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Pharmacy Technician here means completing a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required, then applying through Board of Pharmacy.

Compare Pharmacy Technician Schools in Oregon

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Edmonds College	67.5	$4,810 in-state / $10,875 out-of-state	$52,875	29%	Yes*	191 mi
2	Lower Columbia College	66.5	$4,626 in-state / $6,003 out-of-state	$52,301	23%	Yes*	78 mi
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3	Clover Park Technical College	63.9	$6,634	$51,699	43%	Yes*	146 mi
4	Renton Technical College	63.3	$6,308 in-state / $7,369 out-of-state	$56,466	46%	Yes*	169 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Clark College	63.1	$5,233 in-state / $11,183 out-of-state	$49,337	39%	Yes*	41 mi
6	Yakima Valley College	55.9	$5,312 in-state / $5,873 out-of-state	$51,006	29%	—	140 mi
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7	Pima Medical Institute-Renton	52.3	Contact school for pricing	$42,937	69%	—	167 mi
8	Chemeketa Community College	49.9	$6,345 in-state / $14,040 out-of-state	$50,594	21%	Yes*	27 mi
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9	North Seattle College	48.3	$5,238 in-state / $5,796 out-of-state	$70,090	33%	—	182 mi
10	Rogue Community College	30.4	$5,256 in-state / $6,300 out-of-state	$46,107	9%	Yes*	189 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Oregon employs approximately 4,320 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $54,900 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 Oregon, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training (find programs)
Typical timeline: a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required
Licensing authority: Board of Pharmacy
Exam: PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT
Median wage (Oregon): $54,900 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon

How to become a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon? Complete a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required. Apply through Board of Pharmacy.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Board of Pharmacy.

Do I need a license in Oregon? Yes. Oregon credentials this role through Board of Pharmacy ³. See the licensing section below.

What do pharmacy technicians earn in Oregon? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Oregon is $54,900 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,530 and experienced professionals can earn $68,000 or more ¹.

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon

Meet basic requirements. Most Oregon pharmacy technician programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age, background-check, and work-authorization rules with Board of Pharmacy.
Complete a pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training. Finish a certificate or associate program in Oregon, preferably ASHP-accredited, or employer training if the board allows it. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Pass PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT. Many boards and employers require the PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT exam. Confirm which exam Board of Pharmacy accepts.
Register with the state board of pharmacy. Apply through Board of Pharmacy before unsupervised work. Reciprocity, trainee cards, and fees vary; confirm with the board.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Oregon

Pharmacy technicians in Oregon typically complete a short training program, pass PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT, and register with Board of Pharmacy. See Board of Pharmacy ³.

Typical path

Meet the board’s entry rules.
Complete a pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training.
Pass PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT if the board requires a national exam.
Register or license with Board of Pharmacy before unsupervised work.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Board of Pharmacy before you enroll.

Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Oregon vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro	2,460	$58,590	$57,550	$46,620	$71,370
Eugene-Springfield	560	$50,820	$52,650	$40,440	$65,220
Salem	400	$52,210	$54,270	$40,700	$66,880
Medford	260	$54,900	$54,580	$44,530	$65,300
Bend	220	$56,950	$56,470	$49,320	$62,200
Corvallis	110	$50,270	$54,000	$40,820	$67,600
Albany	90	$51,730	$52,260	$42,120	$63,210
Grants Pass	80	$51,700	$52,910	$38,440	$67,900

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Oregon? Oregon currently employs approximately 4,320 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 Oregon with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Oregon? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Oregon.

How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Oregon is $54,900, which is $11,440 above the national median of $43,460 according to BLS data ¹.

In Oregon

Best Trade Schools in Oregon (2026)

Top local programs

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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: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/hsd/amh/pages/index.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)