How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 41,740 pharmacy technicians earning a median $45,900 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Becoming a pharmacy technician here means training through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Texas State Board of Pharmacy credentialing requirements.
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Compare Pharmacy Technician Schools in Texas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CCI Training Center-Arlington | 75.7 | Contact school for pricing | $39,373 | 72% | Yes* | 114 mi |
| 2 | CTK Healthcare & Career Institute | 65.3 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 96% | — | 122 mi |
| 3 | Austin Community College District | 49.6 | $2,550 - $15,190 | $57,624 | 19% | Yes* | 64 mi |
| 4 | Cisco College | 49.3 | $4,710 - $17,469 | $46,191 | 30% | Yes* | 104 mi |
| 5 | The College of Health Care Professions-Fort Worth | 46.6 | Contact school for pricing | $35,515 | 68% | — | 120 mi |
| 6 | The College of Health Care Professions-Dallas | 45.3 | Contact school for pricing | $39,421 | 60% | — | 123 mi |
| 7 | San Antonio College | 42.3 | $3,412 - $12,343 | $47,341 | 24% | Yes* | 130 mi |
| 8 | Pima Medical Institute-San Antonio | 41.1 | Contact school for pricing | $42,937 | 59% | — | 131 mi |
| 9 | Navarro College | 38.7 | Contact school for pricing | $46,253 | 23% | Yes* | 99 mi |
| 10 | Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio | 30.9 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | Yes* | 131 mi |
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.
Texas employs approximately 41,740 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,900 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 Texas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 12,000 | $46,260 | $46,710 | $36,390 | $60,630 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 10,610 | $46,400 | $46,310 | $35,430 | $61,120 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 3,600 | $47,050 | $46,940 | $35,450 | $58,670 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 3,130 | $47,010 | $47,550 | $37,400 | $58,790 |
| El Paso | 1,210 | $40,200 | $42,570 | $32,160 | $53,540 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 980 | $38,490 | $41,100 | $31,150 | $48,410 |
| Lubbock | 660 | $42,570 | $42,630 | $31,930 | $54,580 |
| Corpus Christi | 600 | $45,610 | $44,740 | $34,480 | $56,070 |
| Killeen-Temple | 540 | $47,400 | $48,420 | $35,690 | $61,610 |
| Amarillo | 520 | $43,960 | $43,730 | $35,280 | $52,720 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 510 | $42,140 | $43,040 | $34,240 | $56,340 |
| Tyler | 480 | $43,690 | $43,460 | $35,570 | $54,120 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 450 | $38,280 | $41,340 | $30,610 | $52,090 |
| College Station-Bryan | 370 | $43,980 | $43,430 | $34,510 | $54,570 |
| Longview | 350 | $41,070 | $42,390 | $35,090 | $50,070 |
| Waco | 350 | $42,850 | $44,450 | $35,600 | $59,300 |
| Abilene | 260 | $42,560 | $42,520 | $34,540 | $49,160 |
| Wichita Falls | 240 | $43,160 | $43,550 | $35,130 | $52,260 |
| Sherman-Denison | 230 | $42,510 | $43,380 | $37,080 | $49,990 |
| Laredo | 220 | $43,800 | $42,590 | $31,510 | $51,880 |
| Texarkana | 200 | $38,190 | $40,750 | $31,530 | $49,380 |
| Midland | 160 | $45,790 | $46,620 | $37,160 | $58,340 |
| Odessa | 160 | $44,620 | $45,960 | $37,030 | $60,720 |
| Victoria | 150 | $43,050 | $42,600 | $34,410 | $48,670 |
| San Angelo | 140 | $44,720 | $43,710 | $32,660 | $55,420 |
| Eagle Pass | 40 | $47,100 | $46,450 | $37,790 | $56,700 |
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Texas State Board of Pharmacy
- Median wage (Texas): $45,900 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Texas
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Texas? Texas requires credentials such as PHARMACY TECHNICIAN, PHARMACIST. The licensing authority is the Texas State 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 Texas? Yes. Texas has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Texas State Board of Pharmacy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Texas? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Texas is $45,900 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,920 and experienced professionals can earn $59,260 or more 1.
Top Metros for Pharmacy technicians in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Texas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 12,000 | $46,260 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 10,610 | $46,400 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 3,600 | $47,050 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 3,130 | $47,010 |
| El Paso | 1,210 | $40,200 |
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Texas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Texas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Texas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, pass the required examination, and obtain the pharmacy technician credential before working unsupervised in Texas.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Texas
The Texas State Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Texas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| PHARMACY TECHNICIAN | Pharmacy technicians are responsible for providing technical services that do not require professional judgment regarding preparing and distributing drugs and work under the direct supervision of and… |
| PHARMACIST | Pharmacists compound and dispense drugs and medicines prescribed by physicians and dentists and other authorized persons. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 41,740 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 Texas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Texas.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Texas is $45,900, which is $2,440 above the national median of $43,460 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Texas State Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/infocist/Licenselink.asp ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |