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). 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 Texas State Board of Pharmacy.
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.
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: Texas State Board of Pharmacy
- Exam: PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT
- Median wage (Texas): $45,900 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Texas
How to become a Pharmacy Technician in Texas? 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 Texas State 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 Texas State Board of Pharmacy.
Do I need a license in Texas? Yes. Texas credentials this role through Texas State Board of Pharmacy 3. See the licensing section below.
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.
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Texas
- Meet basic requirements. Most Texas pharmacy technician programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age, background-check, and work-authorization rules with Texas State Board of Pharmacy.
- Complete a pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training. Finish a certificate or associate program in Texas, 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 Texas State Board of Pharmacy accepts.
- Register with the state board of pharmacy. Apply through Texas State 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 Texas
Pharmacy technicians in Texas typically complete a short training program, pass PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT, and register with Texas State Board of Pharmacy. See Texas State 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 Texas State Board of Pharmacy before unsupervised work.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Texas State Board of Pharmacy before you enroll.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 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 .
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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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 ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |