3 Types of Pharmacy Technicians Who Get Paid the Most—and How to Become One

Looking for high-paying pharmacy technician jobs that match your skills and dedication?

Pharmacy technicians are essential to the medical system, supporting pharmacists in ensuring medications are prepared and distributed safely. While the role is crucial, the pay for pharmacy technicians can vary significantly depending on several factors, including experience, certifications, and work setting. For those seeking to raise their earning potential, knowing the highest-paying positions and strategies for increasing salary is key.

This article will explore the 3 types of pharmacy technicians who typically earn the most and provide actionable steps for becoming one.

Guide to High-Paying Pharmacy Technician Salaries

Before diving into the top-paying pharmacy technician roles, comprehending the factors influencing pay is essential. Pharmacy technician salaries vary based on the following:

• Experience: Technicians with several years of experience often command higher salaries.
• Certifications: Earning specialized certifications can open doors to higher-paying positions.
• Location: Salaries differ based on location, with technicians in cities or certain states earning more. To explore how pharmacy technician salaries vary across the U.S., check out this comprehensive guide on healthcare salary variations by location.
• Workplace Setting: Hospitals, specialty pharmacies, and nuclear medicine facilities offer higher pay than retail pharmacies.

Professionals can explore healthcare salary variations across the U.S. and consider locum tenens roles for flexible, high-earning opportunities to maximize income potential.

With that in mind, let’s look at the three pharmacy technician roles offering the highest earning potential.

1. Nuclear Pharmacy Technician

What is a Nuclear Pharmacy Technician?

Nuclear pharmacy technicians work in specialized pharmacies that handle radioactive drugs for diagnostic imaging or cancer treatments. They are responsible for compounding and dispensing these highly specialized medications and strictly following safety protocols.

Why Do They Get Paid More?

Due to their technical and safety aspects, nuclear pharmacy technicians require additional training and certifications, such as the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) Nuclear Pharmacy Certification. This added expertise leads to higher pay. Additionally, working with radioactive materials demands greater responsibility, contributing to higher salary levels.

How to Become a Nuclear Pharmacy Technician

• Step 1: Obtain your Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
• Step 2: Gain experience in a hospital or compounding pharmacy to build a strong foundation.
• Step 3: Pursue additional certification in nuclear pharmacy from an accredited program.
• Step 4: Apply for nuclear pharmacy technician positions, typically found in hospitals or specialized medical facilities.

Salary Expectations

Nuclear pharmacy technicians can earn an average salary of $75,000 to $90,000 per year, significantly higher than the median salary for general pharmacy technicians, which hovers around $36,000.

2. IV Pharmacy Technician

What is an IV Pharmacy Technician?

IV (Intravenous) pharmacy technicians specialize in preparing sterile IV medications, often for hospital patients. Their role requires meticulous detail consideration and adherence to strict sterile compounding standards.

Why Do They Get Paid More?

Sterile compounding is a highly specialized skill that requires additional training and certification, typically through the National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) or similar bodies. This extra qualification and the precision and responsibility of preparing IV medications result in higher pay.

How to Become an IV Pharmacy Technician

• Step 1: Start with a basic pharmacy technician certification (CPhT).
• Step 2: Gain work experience in a hospital pharmacy, focusing on compounding.
• Step 3: Complete a specialized sterile compounding certification course.
• Step 4: Apply for positions as an IV pharmacy technician in hospitals or infusion centers.

Salary Expectations

IV pharmacy technicians earn an average of $50,000 to $65,000 annually. Those working in high-demand areas, such as major metropolitan hospitals or specialized clinics, may gain even more.

3. Lead Pharmacy Technician

What is a Lead Pharmacy Technician?

A lead pharmacy technician oversees a team of technicians, ensuring daily operations run smoothly. They may also handle inventory management and staff scheduling and serve as liaisons between technicians and pharmacists.

Why Do They Get Paid More?

In a supervisory role, lead pharmacy technicians take on greater responsibility, often managing multiple aspects of pharmacy operations. These positions are among the high-paying pharmacy technician jobs, as the leadership role and the experience needed to secure it typically result in higher salaries.

How to Become a Lead Pharmacy Technician

• Step 1: Gain extensive experience as a pharmacy technician, ideally in various settings such as retail, hospital, and compounding pharmacies.
• Step 2: Build leadership skills by taking on more responsibility, such as mentoring junior technicians.
• Step 3: To demonstrate advanced knowledge, pursue additional certifications, such as the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv) credential.
• Step 4: Apply for lead pharmacy technician roles within hospitals, clinics, or large retail chains.

Salary Expectations

Lead pharmacy technicians can earn between $45,000 and $60,000 annually. Depending on the size of the pharmacy and the location, salaries can exceed $65,000.

Top Tips to Land High-Paying Pharmacy Technician Jobs

Even if you’re not pursuing one of the high-paying pharmacy technician roles mentioned above, there are strategies you can implement to raise your salary:

• Earn Additional Certifications: Pursuing specialized certifications, such as compounding, sterile processing, or immunization, can increase marketability and earning potential.
• Negotiate Your Salary: Avoid negotiating your salary when starting a new job or during performance reviews. Research average salaries in your area and leverage your experience and certifications.
• Explore Higher-Paying Markets: Geographic location plays a significant role in pharmacy technician salaries. Consider relocating to cities or states where technicians earn more.
• Gain Experience in Multiple Settings: Working in various pharmacy environments (hospital, retail, compounding) can make you more valuable and open doors to higher-paying opportunities.
• Take on Leadership Roles: Volunteering to manage inventory, train new hires, or oversee daily operations can set you up for promotions to lead technician roles.

In Summary: Unlocking High-Paying Pharmacy Technician Opportunities

While pharmacy technician salaries vary depending on multiple factors, focusing on high-demand specialties and continuously improving your skills through certifications and experience can significantly increase your earning potential. Whether you aim to become a nuclear pharmacy technician, IV pharmacy technician, or a lead pharmacy technician, the opportunities to advance and boost your salary are within reach.

Take proactive steps in your career to unlock high-paying pharmacy technician jobs and ensure your hard work and dedication are rewarded financially and professionally.