Pharmacy Aides in Pennsylvania
Thinking about a career as a Pharmacy Aides in Pennsylvania? Here’s what you need to know. Record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform the supervisor of stock needs. May operate cash register and accept prescriptions for filling.
What do Pharmacy Aides Make in Pennsylvania?
The pharmacy aides working in Pennsylvania, the median annual wage is $38,280 per year (or about $18.40/hour).Earnings range from $30,930 at the 10th percentile to $43,240 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,930 | $14.87 |
| 25th percentile | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Median (50th) | $38,280 | $18.40 |
| 75th percentile | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| 90th percentile | $43,240 | $20.79 |
The job concentration index in Pennsylvania compared to the national average — is 0.94.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, pharmacy aides earn a median of $47,369 per year ($22.77/hour), below the Pennsylvania median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 49,707 pharmacy aides across the United States. In Pennsylvania alone, approximately 1,500 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 530 pharmacy aides.
Top Pennsylvania Metros for Pharmacy Aides
These are the Pennsylvania metros with the most pharmacy aides in Pennsylvania.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 700 | $37,700 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 590 | $38,280 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 70 | $39,930 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 60 | $38,980 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 50 | $38,090 |
| Lancaster, PA | 30 | $38,750 |
Top States for Pharmacy Aides Employment
These states have the highest employment of pharmacy aides work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 9,430 |
| Texas | 3,300 |
| New York | 2,800 |
| Florida | 1,570 |
| North Carolina | 1,530 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,500 |
| Illinois | 1,260 |
| Washington | 1,250 |
| Ohio | 1,220 |
| Puerto Rico | 1,160 |
| Oklahoma | 1,030 |
| Louisiana | 990 |
| Michigan | 950 |
| Tennessee | 880 |
| Iowa | 880 |
| Georgia | 850 |
| New Jersey | 840 |
| Maryland | 730 |
| Minnesota | 670 |
| Kentucky | 630 |
Highest-Paying States for Pharmacy Aides
Where pharmacy aides earn the most: pharmacy aides.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $55,590 |
| California | $44,060 |
| Washington | $43,320 |
| Hawaii | $41,930 |
| Utah | $38,970 |
| Arizona | $38,800 |
| Oregon | $38,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,280 |
| Idaho | $37,940 |
| Nevada | $37,760 |
Skills
Key pharmacy aides skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for pharmacy aides, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Greet customers and help them locate merchandise.
- Accept prescriptions for filling, gathering and processing necessary information.
- Operate cash register to process cash or credit sales.
- Answer telephone inquiries, referring callers to pharmacist when necessary.
- Receive, store, and inventory pharmaceutical supplies or medications, check for out-of-date medications, and notify pharmacist when inventory levels are low.
- Unpack, sort, count, and label incoming merchandise, including items requiring special handling or refrigeration.
- Restock storage areas, replenishing items on shelves.
- Maintain and clean equipment, work areas, or shelves.
- Prepare prescription labels by typing or operating a computer and printer.
- Compound, package, and label pharmaceutical products, under direction of pharmacist.
- Process medical insurance claims, posting bill amounts and calculating copayments.
- Perform clerical tasks, such as filing, compiling and maintaining prescription records, or composing letters.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
- Training and Teaching Others
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Related occupations to pharmacy aides include:
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Medical Records Specialists
- Opticians, Dispensing
Also Known As
Certified Pharmacist Assistant, Dispensary Attendant, Drug Clerk, Drug Purchaser, Front Counter Clerk, Pharmaceutical Assistant, Pharmacist Aide, Pharmacist Assistant, Pharmacist Helper, Pharmacist's Aide, Pharmacy Administrator (Pharmacy Admin), Pharmacy Aide, Pharmacy Ancillary, Pharmacy Assistant, Pharmacy Cashier.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 31-9095.00