Employment Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians

Due to both the rapid development of new medicines and a growing aging population, job opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to rise dramatically -- by around 30% -- through at least the year 2016. In recent years, the growth in the volume of prescriptions has far outpaced the growth of new pharmacy techs entering the field, meaning many pharmacies remain understaffed. Because of this, pharmacy tech job expansion is expected to be much faster than the average for all other professions, making it a dynamic, in-demand career with a high degree of job security. (See: Future Job Options for Pharmacy Techs.)

Despite the increasing use of medicine dispensing machinery, pharmacy technicians are still needed to verify the machine's work. Furthermore, such machinery is typically restricted to more common medicines, while pharmacy techs still handle more complex prescriptions.

Due to the heightened scrutiny of pharmacy technicians in light of several high-profile medical mix-ups, pharmacy techs with formal training will be especially desirable for employers looking for a greater assurance of competency. (See: Pharmacy Technician Training.)