Here are six statistics about health system pharmacy technicians, according to survey data the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board collected in May.
1. Education: For hospital pharmacy technicians' highest level of education, 36 percent have some college without a degree, 20 percent have an associate degree, 20 percent have a bachelor's, 16 percent have a high school diploma or a GED diploma, 4 percent have a master's and 2 percent have a doctorate.
2. Training environments: Nearly 40 percent had on-the-job training, 29 percent achieved their training and education through college, 22 percent had an employer-sponsored training program and 3 percent learned the trade in high school.
3. Benefits for certification: Thirty-four percent gained no benefits for achieving certification. Of those who did, 45 percent said they got an increase in hourly pay, 3 percent got a one-time bonus, 30 percent got a title change, 13 percent were promoted and 24 percent had broadened responsibilities. Seventeen percent said they got recognition, such as a certificate, an emblem for their lab coat or a new name badge.
4. Satisfaction: Half said they were very satisfied, 35 percent were somewhat satisfied, 7 percent were neutral, 6 percent were somewhat dissatisfied and 3 percent were very dissatisfied. Those figures decreased post COVID-19: 41 percent said their satisfaction didn't change, 37 percent were more satisfied and 22 percent were less.
5. Career: Sixty-two percent said they view pharmacy technician work as a long-term career while 17 percent said they did not and 20 percent were unsure.
6. Pay: The average pay for hospital pharmacy techs was $21.84 per hour.