Pharmacy Technician Jobs and Salary 2026
Get ready for your Pharmacy Technician Jobs and Salary certification. Practice questions with step-by-step answer explanations and instant scoring.

Pharmacy Technician: upcoming dates and official changes
- Jan 6, 2026: PTCB's current PTCE Content Outline took effect on January 6, 2026, with these weights: Medications 35%, Federal Requirements 18.75%, Patient Safety and Quality Assurance 23.75%. (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
Facts verified Nov 1, 2026 against Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
- The PTCE is a computer-based exam with 90 multiple-choice questions: 80 are scored and 10 are unscored pretest items. (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
- The passing scaled score for the PTCE is 1,400 on a scale of 1,000 to 1,600. (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
- Applying for PTCB's CPhT certification and taking the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) costs $129. (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
- PTCE candidates can retake the exam for the 2nd and 3rd time without a waiting period, must wait six months before a 4th attempt, and must show proof of preparation before any attempt after the 4th. (ptcb.zendesk.com)
- PTCB's CPhT certification is valid for 2 years and must be renewed to stay active. (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
- The PTCE is taken in person with a live proctor at more than 1,400 Pearson test centers nationwide, including more than 100 military bases. (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
- PTCE candidates qualify by completing a PTCB-recognized education/training program (or finishing it within 60 days of applying), or by having at least 500 hours of equivalent work experience as a pharmacy technician. (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
- PTCE candidates see an unofficial result on screen right after the exam, and official results are posted to their PTCB Account within three weeks. (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
Facts verified Nov 1, 2026 against Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Pharmacy Technician Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 90 multiple-choice questions (80 scored + 10 unscored) | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board |
| Passing score | 1,400 scaled (range 1,000β1,600) | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board |
| Exam fee | $129 (application + PTCE) | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board |
| Retake policy | No wait for 2nd/3rd attempts; 6-month wait before 4th; proof of preparation after 4 attempts | ptcb.zendesk.com |
| Validity | 2 years | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board |
| Delivery | In person at 1,400+ Pearson VUE test centers, live proctor | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board |
| Eligibility | Pathway 1: PTCB-recognized program (or completion within 60 days); Pathway 2: 500+ hours work experience | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board |
| Score release | Unofficial on screen right away; official within 3 weeks | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board |
| Late registration deadline | Recertification: apply from 60 days before expiry; $25 late fee after deadline (1st of expiration month) | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board |
| Testing window | 90-day exam authorization after approval (up to two 90-day extensions) | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board |
Facts verified Nov 1, 2026 against Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Free Pharmacy Technician Study Tools
Interactive Pharmacy Technician resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- PTCB Practice Test 4 β 16 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
- Pharmacy Technician flashcards β review key terms and concepts card by card
- Pharmacy Technician study guide β topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- Pharmacy Technician cheat sheet β one-page printable summary for last-minute review
Pharmacy Technician Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the Pharmacy Technician exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
Pharmacy Technician PTCB DRUG TEST #1
Pharmacy Technician Mock Exam on PTCB DRUG TEST #1. Pharmacy Technician Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
Pharmacy Technician PTCB Drug Test #2
Pharmacy Technician Test Prep for PTCB Drug Test #2. Practice Pharmacy Technician Quiz questions and boost your score.
Pharmacy Technician PTCB Drug Test #3
Pharmacy Technician Questions and Answers on PTCB Drug Test #3. Free Pharmacy Technician practice for exam readiness.
Pharmacy Technician PTCB Drug Test #4
Pharmacy Technician Mock Test covering PTCB Drug Test #4. Online Pharmacy Technician Test practice with instant feedback.
Pharmacy Technician PTCB Drug Test #5
Free Pharmacy Technician Quiz on PTCB Drug Test #5. Pharmacy Technician Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.
Pharmacy Technician PTCB Drug Test #6
Pharmacy Technician Practice Questions for PTCB Drug Test #6. Build confidence for your Pharmacy Technician certification exam.
Pharmacy Technician PTCB Pharmacology
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Pharmacy Technician PTCB Pharmacology #1
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Pharmacy Technician PTCB Pharmacology #2
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Pharmacy Technician PTCB Pharmacology #3
Pharmacy Technician Exam Questions covering PTCB Pharmacology #3. Master Pharmacy Technician Test concepts for certification prep.
Pharmacy Technician PTCB Pharmacology #4
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π°What are the highest paying pharmacy technician jobs?
According to overall statistics, the top-paying industries are federal. The average pay for pharmacy technicians under them is $44,900 per year. In addition to that, the top-paying states for this job are shown in the following table: Practice with the free Pharmacy Technician practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (16 questions with answer explanations).
State | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
Alaska | $20.74 | $43,150 |
California | $20.48 | $42,610 |
Washington | $20.42 | $42,470 |
Oregon | $19.67 | $40,920 |
District of Columbia | $19.22 | $39,980 |
What is the pharmacy technician salary in Florida?
π€ Pharmacy Technician Questions
Based on statistics, the annual salary for pharmacy technicians in Florida is $32,090. They make at least $15.43 per hour. Florida is also one of the states with the highest employment level for pharmacy technicians.

What is a pharmacy technician's salary in Massachusetts?
The pharmacy technicianβs annual salary in Massachusetts is at least $37,728. As already mentioned, the salary will also differ based on different factors, such as geographical location or educational level.
Is it easy to get a Pharmacy Technician job?
It depends on the preparation you have done. If you have passed the certification exam, then it will be easier for you to get hired. It will add to your credibility, and more employers prefer those who they know have attained the necessary qualifications for the job.
What is the average Walmart pharmacy technician salary?
The average wage for a Walmart Pharmacy Technician is $16 per hour. Walmart Pharmacy Technician wages range from $10 to $39 per hour.
Can we get a job in a pharmacy without any pharmacy degree?
Yes, you can. A great example would be retail pharmacy technicians. Your job is to help pharmacists manage and dispense prescribed medications. You wonβt need a pharmacy degree to attain this job. All you have to do is to pass accredited programs for pharmacy technicians. You need to have at least a high school diploma or an equivalent to enroll. After that, you can take the PTCE and get certified.
What is the average CVS pharmacy technician salary?
The average CVS Pharmacy Technician pay is $16 per hour.
What is the Walgreens pharmacy technician salary?
The average Walgreens Pharmacy Technician pay is $15 per hour. Walgreens Pharmacy Technician salaries range from $6 to $42 per hour.
How much does a pharmacy technician make a year?
You may wonder "How much pharmacy technician make in a year?" According to the BLS, the national average annual wage for a pharmacy technician is $34,020, which is over $15,000 less than the national average annual wage for all occupations, which is $51,960.
Are there part time pharmacy technician jobs?
Because pharmacists are often in demand 24 hours a day, you'll have the choice of working second shift, weekends, or part-time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one out of every five pharmacists works part-time.
Are there work from home pharmacy technician jobs?
Yes. Your responsibilities may involve counseling patients with a range of inquiries about their medication dose, frequency, or drug interactions through the phone, video conference, or chat.

What is the average rite aid pharmacy technician salary?
The pharmacy technician hourly wage in Rite Aid is $13. At Rite Aid, Pharmacy Technician earnings can range from $6 to $23 per hour.
How much does a pharmacy technician make in Texas?
The average pharmacy technician salary Texas is $37,010, which is around $13,970 less than the national average. Starting at $25,480 per year, you can expect a raise to $29,540 in 1-4 years.
What is the Express Scripts pharmacy technician salary?
The average Express Scripts Pharmacy Technician hourly wage is $16. Express Scripts Pharmacy Technician wages range from $12 to $22 per hour.
Pharmacy Technician: Pros and Cons
- +Pharmacy Technician professionals earn competitive salaries with strong growth potential
- +Multiple career paths and specializations available in the field
- +High demand across industries increases job security
- +Certification can boost salary by 10-25% over non-certified peers
- +Remote and flexible work opportunities in many Pharmacy Technician roles
- βEntry-level salaries may be lower while gaining experience
- βSalary varies significantly by location and employer
- βAdditional certifications may be needed for top-paying roles
- βOvertime or irregular hours common in some Pharmacy Technician positions
- βContinuing education required to maintain earning potential
Sample Pharmacy Technician Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free Pharmacy Technician practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Which USP chapter governs sterile compounding in pharmacy practice?
- A. USP 795
- B. USP 800
- C. USP 797
- D. USP 1160
Answer: C. USP 797
USP Chapter 797 (Pharmaceutical Compounding β Sterile Preparations) establishes standards for sterile compounding including beyond-use dates, environmental monitoring, personnel training, and quality assurance.
Which of the following documentation form requires that patient profile be maintained for every patient regardless of the pharmacy setting?
- A. Medication administration record
- B. Physician order sheet
- C. Patient profile
- D. Resident monitoring form
Answer: C. Patient profile
A patient profile is a comprehensive record that includes a patient's medication history, known allergies, medical conditions, and other relevant health information. Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date patient profile is a regulatory requirement and a fundamental practice in all pharmacy settings. This ensures safe and effective medication management by providing pharmacists with essential patient data.
A pharmacy receives a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance. Which of the following is TRUE?
- A. Refills are allowed up to 5 times in 6 months
- B. No refills are permitted
- C. One emergency refill is allowed
- D. Refills require only verbal authorization
Answer: B. No refills are permitted
Schedule II controlled substances (e.g., oxycodone, Adderall) cannot be refilled. A new prescription is required each time.
Insurance companies enact plan limitations to control drug use, which of the following is a limitation for a mail order pharmacy for daysβ supply?
- A. 30
- B. 60
- C. 90
- D. 120
Answer: C. 90
Many insurance companies implement plan limitations to control costs and drug utilization, particularly for mail-order pharmacies. A common limitation for mail-order prescriptions is a 90-day supply. This allows patients to receive a larger quantity of maintenance medications at once, often with the benefit of a reduced co-pay, while still managing overall drug expenditures.
Pharmacy Technician Questions and Answers
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- ptcb.org β Test delivery, eligibility, fees, exam format, passing score, score release, score validity, late registration, exam information Β· verified Nov 2026
- myaccount.ptcb.org β Test dates Β· verified Oct 2026
- ptcb.zendesk.com β Retake policy Β· verified Oct 2026