How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Oregon
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.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Oregon
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Oregon? Oregon requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Certified Oregon, Pharmacy Intern. 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 Oregon? Yes. Oregon 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 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.
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 (Oregon): $54,900 per year 1
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Oregon
The Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Oregon 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | A “Pharmacy technician” is a person licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy who assists the pharmacist in the practice of pharmacy pursuant to rules of the board. |
| Pharmacy Technician, Certified Oregon | A “Certified Oregon Pharmacy technician” is a person licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy who assists the pharmacist in the practice of pharmacy pursuant to rules of the board. |
| Pharmacy Intern | A “pharmacy intern” is any person who has:Completed the first professional year and is in good academic standing at an ACPE accredited school or college of pharmacy, or Is a graduate of an ACPE accred… |
| Pharmacist | Pharmacists dispense and compound medications for prescriptions issued by physicians, dentists or other authorized medical practitioners. |
| Pharmacist Preceptor | A “Preceptor” is a pharmacist licensed and in good standing, registered by the board to supervise the internship training of a licensed intern. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Oregon
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Oregon
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 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 2025.
Top Metros for Pharmacy technicians in Oregon
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Oregon according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 2,460 | $58,590 |
| Eugene-Springfield | 560 | $50,820 |
| Salem | 400 | $52,210 |
| Medford | 260 | $54,900 |
| Bend | 220 | $56,950 |
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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 apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited 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.
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 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |