Pharmacy Technicians in District of Columbia
Thinking about a career as a Pharmacy Technicians in District of Columbia? Here’s what you need to know. Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.
What do Pharmacy Technicians Make in District of Columbia?
The pharmacy technicians working in District of Columbia, the typical annual salary is $45,670 per year (or roughly $21.96/hour).Earnings range from $39,220 at the 10th percentile to $71,890 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| 25th percentile | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Median (50th) | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| 75th percentile | $56,680 | $27.25 |
| 90th percentile | $71,890 | $34.56 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in District of Columbia nationwide is 0.42, meaning fewer pharmacy technicians per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, pharmacy technicians earn a median of $72,773 per year ($34.99/hour), below the District of Columbia median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 2,505,396 pharmacy technicians across the United States. In District of Columbia alone, approximately 950 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 6,030 pharmacy technicians.
Top District of Columbia Metros for Pharmacy Technicians
The largest metro-area employers of pharmacy technicians in District of Columbia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 6,840 | $45,550 |
Top States for Pharmacy Technicians Employment
The table below shows the states where the most pharmacy technicians work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 45,210 |
| Texas | 41,610 |
| Florida | 38,950 |
| New York | 26,450 |
| Illinois | 22,790 |
| Ohio | 20,100 |
| Pennsylvania | 19,630 |
| North Carolina | 16,600 |
| Georgia | 15,780 |
| Michigan | 14,610 |
| New Jersey | 14,130 |
| Tennessee | 12,350 |
| Massachusetts | 11,980 |
| Missouri | 11,420 |
| Virginia | 11,260 |
| Arizona | 11,260 |
| Indiana | 11,040 |
| Kentucky | 10,040 |
| Washington | 9,260 |
| Wisconsin | 8,840 |
Highest-Paying States for Pharmacy Technicians
Where pharmacy technicians earn the most: pharmacy technicians.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $56,140 |
| Oregon | $51,210 |
| Alaska | $50,440 |
| California | $49,640 |
| Minnesota | $48,560 |
| Colorado | $48,070 |
| Arizona | $47,620 |
| North Dakota | $47,600 |
| Montana | $46,980 |
| Utah | $46,760 |
Skills
The most important pharmacy technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for pharmacy technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate.
- Enter prescription information into computer databases.
- Establish or maintain patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual patients.
- Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
- Receive and store incoming supplies, verify quantities against invoices, check for outdated medications in current inventory, and inform supervisors of stock needs and shortages.
- Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests.
- Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.
- Operate cash registers to accept payment from customers.
- Price and file prescriptions that have been filled.
- Mix pharmaceutical preparations, according to written prescriptions.
- Order, label, and count stock of medications, chemicals, or supplies and enter inventory data into computer.
- Clean and help maintain equipment or work areas and sterilize glassware, according to prescribed methods.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Working with Computers
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Processing Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Training and Teaching Others
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Apple Safari, MEDITECH software In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Allied Health Services
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like pharmacy technicians include:
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Pharmacists
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Also Known As
Accredited Pharmacy Technician, Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), Chemotherapy Pharmacy Technician (Chemo Pharmacy Technician), Compounding Pharmacy Tech (Compounding Pharmacy Technician), Compounding Technician, Drug Coordinator, Hospital Pharmacy Tech (Hospital Pharmacy Technician), Inpatient Pharmacy Tech (Inpatient Pharmacy Technician), OR Pharmacy Tech (Operating Room Pharmacy Tech), Pharmacist Assistant, Pharmacist Technician, Pharmacy Clerk, Pharmacy Laboratory Technician, Pharmacy Service Associate, Pharmacy Technician (Pharm Tech).
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: 29-2052.00