Pharmacy Technicians in Illinois
Considering working as a Pharmacy Technicians in Illinois? Below are the key facts. 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 Illinois?
For pharmacy technicians working in Illinois, the median annual wage is $44,610 per year (or roughly $21.45/hour).Pay can range from $35,670 at the 10th percentile to $55,410 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| 25th percentile | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Median (50th) | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| 75th percentile | $48,310 | $23.22 |
| 90th percentile | $55,410 | $26.64 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Illinois compared to the national average — is 1.19, suggesting that pharmacy technicians are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, pharmacy technicians earn a median of $72,773 per year ($34.99/hour), lower than the Illinois median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 2,505,396 pharmacy technicians across the United States. In Illinois alone, around 22,790 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 6,030 pharmacy technicians.
Top Illinois Metros for Pharmacy Technicians
These are the Illinois metros with the most pharmacy technicians in Illinois.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 17,140 | $45,570 |
| Peoria, IL | 670 | $38,330 |
| Springfield, IL | 560 | $40,630 |
| Rockford, IL | 520 | $39,700 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 420 | $41,730 |
| Bloomington, IL | 240 | $37,320 |
| Decatur, IL | 200 | $38,570 |
| Kankakee, IL | 170 | $37,820 |
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
Top pharmacy technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities 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?
Programs that train for this career include:
- 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