How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania employs approximately 18,880 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $40,040 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 Pennsylvania, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Pennsylvania
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania requires credentials such as Pharmacist License. The licensing authority is the Department of State - Pharmacy Board 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 Pennsylvania? Yes. Pennsylvania has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Department of State - Pharmacy Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania is $40,040 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,140 and experienced professionals can earn $51,290 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: Department of State - Pharmacy Board
- Median wage (Pennsylvania): $40,040 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Pennsylvania
The Department of State - Pharmacy Board oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Pennsylvania 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist License | A pharmacist practices the art and science of evaluating prescription orders and prepares, compounds and dispenses drugs and devices on the prescription of a medical practitioner to the consumer. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Pennsylvania vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 9,030 | $44,880 | $43,920 | $35,360 | $55,890 |
| Pittsburgh | 4,270 | $41,780 | $42,800 | $35,480 | $49,040 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 1,160 | $38,490 | $42,050 | $35,690 | $51,520 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | 940 | $36,280 | $39,310 | $31,490 | $46,400 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 910 | $39,940 | $42,000 | $35,010 | $49,090 |
| Lancaster | 650 | $39,580 | $41,850 | $35,040 | $49,850 |
| York-Hanover | 520 | $37,220 | $40,690 | $34,320 | $48,960 |
| Reading | 410 | $36,860 | $40,130 | $34,150 | $52,000 |
| Erie | 370 | $37,340 | $39,930 | $32,000 | $48,010 |
| Altoona | 190 | $36,810 | $40,300 | $31,730 | $52,920 |
| Chambersburg | 180 | $37,440 | $42,420 | $31,710 | $68,720 |
| Johnstown | 170 | $37,540 | $38,040 | $31,170 | $47,370 |
| State College | 160 | $37,400 | $40,210 | $34,050 | $47,650 |
| Lebanon | 130 | $37,890 | $44,530 | $33,580 | $63,960 |
| Williamsport | 100 | $38,500 | $39,590 | $34,020 | $45,590 |
| Gettysburg | 70 | $37,320 | $40,030 | $34,630 | $49,290 |
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 Pennsylvania
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Pennsylvania according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 9,030 | $44,880 |
| Pittsburgh | 4,270 | $41,780 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 1,160 | $38,490 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre | 940 | $36,280 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 910 | $39,940 |
Explore More Trades in Pennsylvania
- Electrician in Pennsylvania
- Plumber in Pennsylvania
- HVAC Technician in Pennsylvania
- Welder in Pennsylvania
- Carpenter in Pennsylvania
- Solar Installation Technician in Pennsylvania
- Auto Mechanic in Pennsylvania
- CNC Machinist in Pennsylvania
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Pennsylvania
- Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 18,880 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 Pennsylvania with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of State - Pharmacy Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Pennsylvania.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania is $40,040, which is $3,420 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of State - Pharmacy Board - Licensing Information: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Pharmacy/Pages/default.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) |