All About Pharmacy Aides
Job Description: Record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform the supervisor of stock needs. May operate cash register and accept prescriptions for filling.
Pharmacy Aide Responsibilities
- Receive, store, and inventory pharmaceutical supplies or medications, check for out-dated medications, and notify pharmacist when inventory levels are low.
- Operate cash register to process cash or credit sales.
- Restock storage areas, replenishing items on shelves.
- Prepare, maintain, and record records of inventories, receipts, purchases, or deliveries, using a variety of computer screen formats.
- Prepare prescription labels by typing or operating a computer and printer.
- Compound, package, and label pharmaceutical products, under direction of pharmacist.
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Things a Pharmacy Aide Should Know How to Do
When polled, Pharmacy Aides say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Pharmacy Aide
- Pharmacy Ancillary
- Pharmacist Helper
- Pharmacy Helper
- Pharmacy Aide
- Pharmacist Assistant
Is There Job Demand for Pharmacy Aides?
In the United States, there were 36,900 jobs for Pharmacy Aide in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Pharmacy Aide. The BLS estimates 4,700 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Pharmacy Aide are Alaska, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Oklahoma, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Pharmacy Aides Salary
The typical yearly salary for Pharmacy Aides is somewhere between $19,370 and $44,450.

Pharmacy Aides who work in Alaska, Colorado, or Arizona, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Pharmacy Aides in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $21,700 |
Alaska | $45,850 |
Arizona | $38,500 |
Arkansas | $25,330 |
California | $33,730 |
Colorado | $39,840 |
Connecticut | $31,460 |
Delaware | $29,990 |
Florida | $29,420 |
Georgia | $28,000 |
Hawaii | $34,180 |
Idaho | $29,780 |
Illinois | $29,760 |
Indiana | $24,470 |
Iowa | $26,260 |
Kansas | $23,630 |
Kentucky | $23,740 |
Louisiana | $24,400 |
Maine | $26,800 |
Maryland | $30,130 |
Massachusetts | $35,630 |
Michigan | $27,690 |
Minnesota | $28,190 |
Mississippi | $27,060 |
Missouri | $27,260 |
Montana | $29,580 |
Nebraska | $27,950 |
Nevada | $27,980 |
New Hampshire | $27,180 |
New Jersey | $25,490 |
New Mexico | $29,970 |
New York | $31,450 |
North Carolina | $24,760 |
North Dakota | $30,940 |
Ohio | $28,090 |
Oklahoma | $24,400 |
Oregon | $32,990 |
Pennsylvania | $24,660 |
Rhode Island | $31,150 |
South Carolina | $24,940 |
South Dakota | $24,390 |
Tennessee | $25,200 |
Texas | $25,910 |
Utah | $36,120 |
Vermont | $24,320 |
Virginia | $24,020 |
Washington | $32,990 |
West Virginia | $23,360 |
Wisconsin | $24,140 |
What Tools & Technology do Pharmacy Aides Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Pharmacy Aides:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
How to Become a Pharmacy Aide
Are there Pharmacy Aides education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Pharmacy Aide?

Where do Pharmacy Aides Work?

Below are examples of industries where Pharmacy Aides work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Are you already one of the many Pharmacy Aide in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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