Employment Information

Wages

Wages in Seattle-Bellevue metro area range from $15.48/hour (entry-level) to $26.21/hour (additional experience), and the median is $20.51/hour.  

Working Conditions

Pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies, groceries, department stores, mass retailers, hospital pharmacies, medical clinics, mail order, home infusion and insurance companies.

Evening, weekend and holiday hours are likely, but there is often flexible scheduling, with part-time work opportunities.

Pharmacy techs often are standing and may need to carry heavy boxes and climb step-ladders.

Employment Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 20 percent increase in jobs nationally from 2012-2022, with a 19 percent increase in Washington state. There is currently an unprecedented demand for pharmacists and for pharmaceutical care services, and pharmacists are assuming a more clinical role and delegating tasks to technicians. 

WA State Pharmacy Technician Licensure

Apply for your pharmacy technician license with the state of WA here.