Prospects for pharmacy technicians are good and growing, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Demand for pharmaceutical services and jobs are expected to increase through 2012, due to the aging of the U.S. population and its requirements for medications. Development of new treatments for illness also will drive employment for those interested in pharmacy tech careers.

Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of qualified pharmacists, helping them dispense drugs, medicine, and chemicals in retail outlets, hospitals, and clinics. Techs process orders, count and measure pills, package and label prescriptions, and compound medicines, among other jobs. Pharmacy technicians also oversee new technology used to make these tasks easier and more efficient. Additionally, pharmacy techs ensure that drugs, chemicals, and ingredients are stored and labelled according to the legal requirements of the pharmaceutical industry.

Career Prerequisites - Pharmacy Technician

Most pharmacy technician careers require an associate's degree, with hands-on laboratory coursework or experience. Common areas of study include pharmacological terminology, record keeping and calculation for pharmaceutical practice, and medical ethics.

While there are no federal and few state licensing requirements for pharmacy technicians, there is a National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination, administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. This qualification is becoming increasingly important to employers as the need for skilled pharmacy technicians grows.

Salary Forecast - Pharmacy Technician

The annual salary for pharmacy technicians is around $25,000. However, salaries are expected to increase as demand for qualified pharmacy technicians continues to rise.

If you are interested in a medical career that you can train for quickly, consider the benefits of a pharmaceutical technician career.