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Job outlook for lead pharmacist technicians in the United States
Lead pharmacist technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected lead pharmacist technician job growth rate is 2% from 2018-2028.
About 7,700 new jobs for lead pharmacist technicians are projected over the next decade.
Lead pharmacist technician salaries have increased 5% for lead pharmacist technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 409,283 lead pharmacist technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 68,287 active lead pharmacist technician job openings in the US.
The average lead pharmacist technician salary is $81,230.
Are lead pharmacist technician jobs in demand?
Lead pharmacist technician job and salary trends over time
Lead pharmacist technician jobs over time
Lead pharmacist technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 409,283 | 0.12% |
| 2020 | 390,205 | 0.12% |
| 2019 | 392,219 | 0.12% |
| 2018 | 392,209 | 0.12% |
| 2017 | 392,072 | 0.12% |
Average lead pharmacist technician salary over time
Lead pharmacist technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $81,230 | $39.05 | +0.5% |
| 2024 | $80,839 | $38.86 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $79,596 | $38.27 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $78,365 | $37.68 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $77,141 | $37.09 | +0.6% |
Lead pharmacist technician jobs by state
Most common states for lead pharmacist technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 275 | 37% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 362 | 34% |
| 3 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 776 | 27% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 237 | 27% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,806 | 26% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 497 | 26% |
| 7 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 450 | 26% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 337 | 25% |
| 9 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 330 | 25% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 149 | 24% |
| 11 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 478 | 23% |
| 12 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,492 | 22% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 237 | 22% |
| 14 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 640 | 21% |
| 15 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 637 | 21% |
| 16 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 797 | 20% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 707 | 20% |
| 18 | Delaware | 961,939 | 192 | 20% |
| 19 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,675 | 19% |
| 20 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,087 | 19% |
Most common cities for lead pharmacist technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Arbor | 1 | 1% | $85,093 |
| 2 | Canton | 1 | 1% | $85,439 |
| 3 | Daly City | 1 | 1% | $147,696 |
| 4 | Davenport | 1 | 1% | $62,045 |
| 5 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $66,673 |
| 6 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $93,540 |
| 7 | Indianapolis | 2 | 0% | $73,143 |
| 8 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $82,367 |
| 9 | San Francisco | 2 | 0% | $147,792 |
| 10 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $102,543 |
| 11 | Chandler | 1 | 0% | $81,884 |
| 12 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $76,108 |
| 13 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $69,419 |
| 14 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $86,022 |
Lead Pharmacist Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of lead pharmacist technician experts
Wilkes University
University of Southern California
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
The University of Findlay
Harding University
Western New England University
University of Rhode Island
University of the Incarnate Word
Lipscomb University
University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Memphis
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Butler University
Idaho State University
University of California, Irvine
University of Connecticut
What will help Lead Pharmacist Technicians increase their earning potential?
Brent Rollins RPh, PhD: The day-to-day looks very different based on the area of pharmacy practice one works. The traditionally thought of roles for the pharmacist exist in a community pharmacy (filling new and refill prescriptions, counseling patients and taking care of the general public) or hospital pharmacy (filling physician orders, counseling patients and solving inpatient issues). However, more and more pharmacists are working in direct patient care managing chronic disease states such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease or in the insurance world educating a third-party's patients, managing drug formularies and solving those patient/prescription issues. In the end, pharmacists make sure the right person gets the right medication, take care of a patient's health care/medication needs, and are problem-solvers for all things related to a person's drug therapy.
What Lead Pharmacist Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rubi Mahato PhD, MBA: Negotiate upfront, consider the field you want to go into, take business courses to climb the ladder quickly.
What will help Lead Pharmacist Technicians increase their earning potential?
Rubi Mahato PhD, MBA: Critical thinking, adaptability, effective patient counseling, and effective communication with healthcare professionals.
What Lead Pharmacist Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kari Franson PharmD, PhD, BCPP: Pharmacists are increasingly being asked to take on more roles in health care and this has led to increases in hiring, salaries and even start-up bonuses. But it is always a good time to be a pharmacist because so many people value what pharmacy brings to all aspects of health care.
What Lead Pharmacist Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
James Wheeler: Pharmacists enjoy the versatility of the PharmD degree, allowing for a wide variety of career paths and specialization opportunities in various pharmacy practice areas. It’s a trusted profession where pharmacists tackle complex medical issues, build relationships with patients and colleagues, and improve population health. Pharmacists enjoy the opportunity to serve patients, grow as clinicians, and make a positive impact in their communities. Like other healthcare professions, the role is demanding and requires constant learning and professional growth, but the work is meaningful and improves patient’s lives.
Jenna Mills PharmD, BCPS
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy PracticeThe University of Findlay
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, And Administration
What Lead Pharmacist Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jenna Mills PharmD, BCPS: Empathy: as pharmacists face increasing workplace demands, don’t lose sight of your ‘why’ for committing to the profession of pharmacy. For many, this involves a desire to positively impact patient care. In my work as a pharmacist, I often consider the care I would want one of my family members, friends, or loved ones to receive. This can involve going the extra mile for our patients, such as securing an affordable treatment option for a patient when the initial medication is too expensive or inaccessible. Pharmacists are in a position to help patients; some cases may involve extra time and effort, and you may find yourself questioning how you can provide this when you’re being pulled in different directions and facing various tasks. Remember your ‘why’, and don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re involved in the care for someone’s loved one and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to help.
Prioritization: pharmacists face many demands in the workplace all throughout the day. Oftentimes, several demands occur at once. For example, you might be on the phone with a patient or other healthcare provider, someone might be knocking on your door or arrive at your counter, and the unverified prescriptions queue may be filling up by the minute. In these instances, pharmacists must actively listen to what is being presented (take notes!) and determine what is the problem of highest priority. During the workday, pharmacists must determine what is urgent and time-sensitive to guide their next step.
Attention to detail: whether you’re verifying a new prescription, dispensing a medication from the pharmacy, completing a consult, or evaluating a patient’s chart, pharmacists must be equipped with analytical skills. Known as ‘medication experts,’ pharmacists must be accurate and attentive to ensure safe patient care.
Julie Hixson-Wallace
Dean and ProfessorHarding University
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, And Administration
What general advice would you give to a Lead Pharmacist Technician?
Julie Hixson-Wallace: Be flexible! A pharmacy degree can be used to practice in a variety of settings. Having an open mind to explore all the available opportunities can open doors most people don't associate with the traditional view of pharmacists.
What Lead Pharmacist Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Chasity Shelton PharmD, FCCP, FNAP, BCPS, BCPPS: Pharmacy practice is increasingly reliant on technology for managing various aspects of the practice. Staying up-to-date on the latest technology and pharmacy software tools will help improve efficiency and accuracy. As healthcare continues to move towards more data-driven decision-making, skills in data analysis, informatics, and health informatics will be highly valuable. Effective communication skills continue to be important and prevalent in the field whether it is with patients, colleagues, or other healthcare professionals. With medication use becoming increasingly complex, it is critical that this information can be relayed to patients in terms that are clear and easy to understand.
What general advice would you give to a Lead Pharmacist Technician?
Kimberly Pesaturo PharmD, BCPS: Becoming both a true professional and an expert are longtime, if not lifetime, processes.
Continued self-development and being open to new ideas, concepts, and innovations are key to
career progression. New doors are going to open, and some when you least expect them. Take
advantage of opportunities that come your way! Be open to the fact that growth takes time and
change is inevitable.
What Lead Pharmacist Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kimberly Pesaturo PharmD, BCPS: I see two main areas as being vital to career success in the next few years. The first is
embracing both the fluid nature of the field of pharmacy and its new technologies. The second is
cultivating a high degree of emotional intelligence, communication, and professionalism.
What will help Lead Pharmacist Technicians increase their earning potential?
Kimberly Pesaturo PharmD, BCPS: This is a great question! I feel there are multiple ways to do this, but my primary
recommendation is to make sure you are a highly qualified career candidate. This may
involve completing a year or more of postgraduate residency training, postgraduate
fellowship training, and/or becoming certified in specialty areas, such as through the
Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties examination. Second, be willing to pack up and
move! Early career is a ripe time for new environments and locations, and working in
various locales will help formatively support your later career growth. Next, diversify
your skill set, but be smart about it. Think about what makes you unique in your career;
how might you leverage your knowledge and experience through research, publication,
teaching, or consulting? Finally, to quote a mentor of mine, "fortune favors the bold."
Don't be afraid to innovate, share, and collaborate.
Dr. Elizabeth St. Louis PharmD, BCACP
Director, Co-Curriculum and Experiential EngagementUniversity of Rhode Island
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, And Administration
What general advice would you give to a Lead Pharmacist Technician?
Dr. Elizabeth St. Louis PharmD, BCACP: I think of maximizing salary potential as a combination of strategic planning, ongoing skill development, and effective negotiation. It is valuable to have insights into the job market and salary trends in that area through networking and perhaps some research on websites such as Glassdoor and Indeed. Salary levels for pharmacists can differ significantly depending on geographic location, cost of living, and demand for healthcare services, which can mean potentially exploring job opportunities in areas where demand for pharmacists is high and salaries are competitive. Graduates may also consider, as part of their ongoing professional development, pursuing advanced credentials or certifications in specialized areas of pharmacy practice of interest, such as board certification in pharmacotherapy, ambulatory care, or critical care to make you more competitive in the job market, potentially leading to higher salary offers. It is also worth noting that development and advanced training can involve participating in postgraduate residency and fellowship programs. Employers may offer higher starting salaries to candidates with relevant experience and specialized training. Many new graduates are wary about negotiating salary and benefits, but it is important and beneficial to do when done well. Do your research beforehand on industry standards and keep in mind what qualifications and experience you bring to the table so that you can articulate your value proposition effectively. Be prepared to negotiate not only salary but also benefits such as sign-on bonuses, relocation assistance, continuing education allowances, and opportunities for career advancement which can sometimes have more room for adjustment than salary.
What Lead Pharmacist Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Elizabeth St. Louis PharmD, BCACP: Pharmacy is a field that is ever-evolving as new medications, technologies, and regulations emerge, so it is crucial that graduates prioritize staying informed about changes and being a lifelong learner to expand their knowledge and clinical skills. It is also valuable to find experienced pharmacists who can serve as mentors and provide guidance as they navigate their career; they can learn from their experiences and seek advice on professional development opportunities and career advancement. I would also be remiss if I did not point out the value of investing in professional networking with colleagues, mentors, and other professionals that can provide worthwhile insights into salary negotiation strategies, job opportunities, and career advancement paths. Attend professional conferences, join professional associations, and participate in online forums to expand your professional network and stay connected to changes in the profession. Above all, it is critical for new graduates to stay resilient and flexible as pharmacy practice can be demanding and fast-paced with unexpected challenges. Being adaptable to change and identifying effective ways to manage stress and cope with the demands of the profession will help ensure a long and fulfilling career.
What skills stand out on Lead Pharmacist Technician resumes?
Dr. David Maize Ph.D.: On paper, the skills that stand out the most are leadership positions. These can be officer positions in school organizations, committee chair positions, head of a project at work, or a leadership position in a professional organization. Anything that shows that you, as a staff pharmacist, can lead a team. Leading a group of people, regardless of the specific situation, is challenging. Quickly, you learn that it is nearly impossible to please everyone all at once, and you need to balance fairness and compassion to best serve your team and your customers/patients.
What soft skills should all Lead Pharmacist Technicians possess?
Dr. David Maize Ph.D.: Basic conversation/communication skills along with problem-solving skills are crucial for a successful pharmacist. One of the most basic questions I ask myself about a candidate is, "can I see myself working next to this candidate? Also, could I go to work every day and have this person as my partner?" To find the answer to my questions, I typically rank how well a conversation went during the interview. I try to get a sense of the candidate's personality and start thinking about where this candidate could fit into a particular team. Without basic communication skills, you won't be able to succeed in a stressful team environment, and you won't be able to build rapport with your patients. For critical thinking, detailed but succinct answers to situation-based questions are revealing on how a candidate would handle certain situations. Every day in the pharmacy is different from the last. Being able to problem solve critically makes for a strong pharmacist.
Patience and empathy are skills every pharmacist must have to help our patients. Many times patients come to the pharmacy sick or short on time. A small problem could easily escalate. The pharmacist does not know what happened to that person during the day. Time, understanding, and a kind word can make that patient feel as if you care only about them at the moment.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Lead Pharmacist Technicians?
Dr. David Maize Ph.D.: First, a strong clinical knowledge base is essential for the health and safety of the patient. Second, knowledge of electronic medical record systems (EMR) is important. The specific EMR or database is not important, but the basic skills of finding pertinent patient information within a database are crucial to day-to-day tasks. Third, you need to know how to find answers to questions. I appreciate candidates that will admit they don't know an answer to a question but will then explain how they would find the answer.
What skills will help Lead Pharmacist Technicians earn the most?
Dr. David Maize Ph.D.: Flexibility and adaptability. The days of standing or sitting in front of one station in the pharmacy with technicians handing you work while you stay in one place are gone. The modern pharmacy has pharmacists completing technical tasks like prescription verification and patient counseling, but now they are expected to complete medication therapy management (MTM) calls, assess a patient's immunization needs, potentially complete point of care testing for disease state management or pharmacy-based prescribing through a collaborative practice agreement. If you show an ability to be flexible and adaptable in the skills you practice, you will be able to earn more in the long term. If COVID-19 has taught us anything, adapting to the ever-changing healthcare field can make or break a pharmacy.
What soft skills should all Lead Pharmacist Technicians possess?
Chad Gentry: From my perspective, the most important soft skills are evidence of successful team collaboration, leadership experience, ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and good communication skills.
Dawn Havrda
Associate Dean For Academic Affairs and AssessmentUniversity of Tennessee Health Science Center - Memphis
Pharmacy Department
What skills stand out on Lead Pharmacist Technician resumes?
Dawn Havrda: Ability to multitask. For students, maintaining good grades, involvement in organizations or dual-degree programs (PharmD/MBA, PharmD/MPH, etc.), work/internships. Also, self-directed activities such as research, summer internships, or other opportunities, that show career exploration or personal growth. For pharmacists, additional training (degrees or certificates), leadership, breadth of experiences, board certification, etc. Items that show the individual went beyond others to improve their skills set and diversify.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Lead Pharmacist Technicians?
Dawn Havrda: Computer skills and knowledge of technological advances. Business sense and management skills. Marketing skills to adapt to the needed stakeholder is important.
Dr. Yen Dang
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Director of Global HealthUniversity of Maryland Eastern Shore
Pharmacy Department
What skills will help Lead Pharmacist Technicians earn the most?
Dr. Yen Dang: Adaptability is a great trait to have as it will let you adjust to different and changing environments. Also, being a self-directed learner where you can be in charge of your own professional development is essential. There are always new drugs and evolving guidelines, so pharmacists need to be up-to-date with that.
What soft skills should all Lead Pharmacist Technicians possess?
Dr. Yen Dang: Teamwork and communication skills are key. Most pharmacists are team members, sometimes even the team leaders, and they need to work well with other pharmacists, technicians, and healthcare professionals to get the job done. Excellent communication skills help avoid confusion and conflict, especially if you communicate to providers to correct medication errors.
Vraj Patel
Medication Error Pharmacovigilance and Risk Management FellowButler University
Pharmacy Practice
What skills stand out on Lead Pharmacist Technician resumes?
Vraj Patel: -Adaptability - being flexible has been key during COVID, and with multiple interviews and projects
-Critical thinking/independence - someone that can analyze a problem and work independently to solve problems/projects
-Proactive and self-motivated - This is probably the one that most people are looking for. For example: when someone sees a problem, they come up with a potential solution that they then bring to their manager
-Followership - has been very important and a growing trend we have noticed.
Dr. Jennifer Adams
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Clinical Associate ProfessorIdaho State University
College of Pharmacy
What experience really stands out on Lead Pharmacist Technician resumes?
Dr. Jennifer Adams: In my experience, students who are well-rounded with good grades and with leadership and extra-curricular experience stand out. Especially if that extra-curricular experience is also connected to their expressed passion in the application letter.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Lead Pharmacist Technicians?
Dr. Jennifer Adams: Our curriculum at Idaho State has always involved synchronous distance education across 3 campus locations in two states, but the learning environment has still been a shift, even for our experienced distance learners. From students with families managing child care and virtual education, to finding a quiet place to attend class and study for those with roommates, the pandemic has been stressful for many of our students. That being said, they have been resilient and have risen to the challenge and since the pandemic began our students' academic performance has not suffered.
Our students have also been given the opportunity to serve our communities during the pandemic; helping with COVID screening, testing, and vaccination efforts through their service learning activities. Many have gone well above and beyond what is required for service learning and have volunteered many, many hours of service to our communities.
What type of skills will young Lead Pharmacist Technicians need?
Dr. Jennifer Adams: Leadership, flexibility and adaptability, innovation and creativity. Pharmacy is an ever-evolving profession and these are the skills that will help graduates to succeed in an ever changing environment.
What type of skills will young Lead Pharmacist Technicians need?
Sarah McBane: The profession has been evolving as long as I've been a pharmacist but, as with the rest of the healthcare system, the speed of that evolution really accelerated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Pharmacy graduates will need to flexible, innovative and entrepreneurial, able to adapt to changes and to create their own opportunities. We will continue to count on pharmacists as the medication experts, but what that looks like may vary from setting to setting.
What general advice would you give to a Lead Pharmacist Technician?
Stephanie Gernant: Don't confuse What You Do with Who You Are. Our society, unfortunately, highly correlates profession with identity (go to any party and eventually someone will ask 'and what do you do for a living?'), but your value as a human being is so, so much more than just your capacity 'to do work.'
There is no such thing as a 'Forever Job.' Quite the contrary, the average worker remains in their entry-level job only a few years. Even if by some remarkable felicity a new graduate landed what they believed their 'perfect job,' (yet another myth)-- that job will never remain the 'same job' because healthcare, people, and industries are volatile. We all start somewhere, and you, too, will move and grow throughout your career.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Lead Pharmacist Technicians, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Stephanie Gernant: Over the last three decades, U.S. workers' have experienced salary stagnation compared to inflation, despite gains in both productivity and GDP. We know that, on average, workers receive higher pay advances when they change jobs or switch employers than if they remain in a position or are internally promoted. So, while the previous generation regularly spent entire careers within a single company, this is a rarity today. This change is due, in part, to the fact that industries change much more quickly today; jobs come and go; relevant trends one decade are replaced with new trends that require novel skill-sets.
This is certainly true for healthcare, and as such, pharmacists have better salary prospects throughout their career than most other healthcare professionals. Specifically, pharmacists experienced a cataclysmic shift in professional identity beginning in the 1990s: in the wake of closing 'mom and pop pharmacies,' pharmacists had to re-imagine and diversify their roles. As such, pharmacists have a leg up with a developed professional culture already adept and flexible in meeting future needs. I have no doubt in the profession's ability to continue matching the ever-variable needs of healthcare and the prospects for future generations of pharmacists.