Best institutions to study Pharmacy Technician/Assistant
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of pharmacists, to prepare medications, provide medications and related assistance to patients, and manage pharmacy clinical and business operations.
353 U.S. institutions graduated 8,060 Pharmacy Technician/Assistant students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0805, a specialization of Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (CIP 51.08), and leads most directly to the Pharmacy Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 29-2052).
About Pharmacy Technician/Assistant programs
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of pharmacists, to prepare medications, provide medications and related assistance to patients, and manage pharmacy clinical and business operations. Includes instruction in medical and pharmaceutical terminology, principles of pharmacology and pharmaceutics, drug identification, pharmacy laboratory procedures, prescription interpretation, patient communication and education, safety procedures, record-keeping, measurement and testing techniques, pharmacy business operations, prescription preparation, logistics and dispensing operations, and applicable standards and regulations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Pharmacy Technician/Assistant program prepares individuals to support pharmacists in various pharmacy operations. Students learn to prepare and dispense medications, manage pharmacy clinical and business tasks, and provide assistance to patients under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. This program is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in the health professions, specifically in pharmacy settings.
Core coursework includes medical and pharmaceutical terminology, principles of pharmacology, drug identification, and pharmacy laboratory procedures. Students also gain skills in prescription interpretation, patient communication, safety procedures, and pharmacy business operations.
Credentials awarded
What Pharmacy Technician/Assistant graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years3,892 graduates / yr · 203 institutions48%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year3,061 graduates / yr · 137 institutions38%
- Associate's degree1,000 graduates / yr · 94 institutions12%
- Award of less than 12 weeks93 graduates / yr · 9 institutions1.2%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years14 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.2%
Graduates over time
Pharmacy Technician/Assistant completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 23,286 |
| 2013 | 20,125 |
| 2014 | 17,694 |
| 2015 | 14,704 |
| 2016 | 13,087 |
| 2017 | 10,608 |
| 2018 | 9,368 |
| 2019 | 8,340 |
| 2020 | 6,942 |
| 2021 | 7,393 |
| 2022 | 7,330 |
| 2023 | 6,707 |
| 2024 | 7,541 |
| 2025 | 8,060 |
Top 50 institutions for Pharmacy Technician/Assistant, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NUC University Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 230 | 54% | $9,377 | $25,797 |
| 2 | Martinsburg College Cheyenne, WYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 215 | 60% | $12,163 | $23,773 |
| 3 | Ross College - Sylvania Sylvania, OHPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 212 | 53% | $28,241 | $31,888 |
| 4 | FVI School of Nursing and Technology Miami, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 201 | 89% | $27,818 | $23,971 |
| 5 | Bryan University Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 157 | 41% | $22,877 | — |
| 6 | Miller - Motte College - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TNPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 157 | 60% | $26,425 | $22,869 |
| 7 | Rasmussen University - Minnesota St. Cloud, MNPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 152 | 53% | $19,944 | $29,532 |
| 8 | Mountainland Technical College Lehi, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 140 | 84% | — | $30,437 |
| 9 | Concorde Career College - Memphis Memphis, TNPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 139 | 55% | $23,740 | $22,543 |
| 10 | Global Medical & Technical Training Institute Miami, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 139 | 87% | $35,668 | $24,373 |
| 11 | American Career College - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 129 | 75% | $28,906 | $28,853 |
| 12 | Northwest Career College Las Vegas, NVPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 124 | 68% | $15,787 | $28,293 |
| 13 | Florida Education Institute Miami, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 81 | 74% | $36,343 | $20,084 |
| 14 | Pima Medical Institute - El Paso El Paso, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 80 | 57% | $23,813 | $31,915 |
| 15 | American Career College - Ontario Ontario, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 77 | 66% | $31,076 | $25,702 |
| 16 | UEI College - Fresno Fresno, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 73 | 61% | $30,005 | $20,254 |
| 17 | CCI Training Center - Arlington Arlington, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 72 | 74% | $14,207 | $29,833 |
| 18 | Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 69 | 81% | — | $29,723 |
| 19 | Wichita Technical Institute Wichita, KSPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 66 | 55% | $20,276 | $25,879 |
| 20 | High Desert Medical College Lancaster, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 60 | 68% | $28,838 | $21,504 |
| 21 | The College of Health Care Professions - McAllen Campus McAllen, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 60 | 77% | $26,617 | $26,556 |
| 22 | San Joaquin Valley College - Visalia Visalia, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 58 | 36% | $30,518 | $26,897 |
| 23 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 58 | 30% | — | $29,833 |
| 24 | American Career College - Anaheim Anaheim, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 57 | 70% | $28,590 | $28,853 |
| 25 | City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Chicago, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 56 | 18% | — | $35,140 |
| 26 | San Joaquin Valley College - Bakersfield Bakersfield, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 54 | 58% | $24,205 | $26,897 |
| 27 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 54 | 17% | — | $35,469 |
| 28 | Davis Technical College Kaysville, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 52 | 57% | — | $33,714 |
| 29 | UEI College - Gardena Gardena, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 52 | 60% | $28,919 | $24,039 |
| 30 | The College of Health Care Professions - South San Antonio San Antonio, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 52 | 73% | $29,205 | $26,556 |
| 31 | Carrington College - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 51 | 51% | $38,203 | $32,311 |
| 32 | Concorde Career Institute - Miramar Miramar, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 51 | 67% | $27,271 | $27,953 |
| 33 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 50 | 49% | — | $35,961 |
| 34 | San Bernardino Valley College San Bernardino, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 50 | 28% | — | — |
| 35 | Hacienda La Puente Adult Education La Puente, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 50 | 77% | — | — |
| 36 | Asher College Sacramento, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 50 | 56% | $16,924 | $27,105 |
| 37 | Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 49 | 31% | — | $28,200 |
| 38 | Dixie Technical College Saint George, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 46 | 77% | — | $31,955 |
| 39 | UEI College - Bakersfield Bakersfield, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 45 | 68% | $29,687 | $20,254 |
| 40 | San Joaquin Valley College - Modesto Salida, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 43 | 77% | $25,571 | $26,897 |
| 41 | Ayers Career College Shreveport, LAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 42 | 68% | $17,824 | $24,421 |
| 42 | Southern Careers Institute - Brownsville Brownsville, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 42 | 68% | $17,794 | $21,645 |
| 43 | Aguilas International Technical Institute Tampa, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 42 | — | — | — |
| 44 | UEI College - Riverside Riverside, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 41 | 71% | $27,181 | $24,039 |
| 45 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 40 | 40% | — | $32,398 |
| 46 | Riverside County Office of Education - School of Career Education Riverside, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 40 | 82% | — | $26,599 |
| 47 | Arizona College - Glendale Glendale, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 40 | 85% | $28,686 | $29,388 |
| 48 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo Campus Gurabo, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 39 | 31% | $9,370 | $17,746 |
| 49 | Pima Medical Institute - Chula Vista Chula Vista, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 62% | $22,240 | $31,915 |
| 50 | Concorde Career Institute - Orlando Orlando, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 39 | 69% | $34,100 | $28,082 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services field (CIP 51.08) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 46 states & territories
Where Pharmacy Technician/Assistant graduates come from. Each state links to all Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-2052, Pharmacy Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Pharmacy Technician/Assistant program can pursue careers as Pharmacy Technicians, with a job outlook that is faster than average, projecting a growth rate of 6.4%. There are approximately 49,000 annual openings in this field, with a median wage of $43,460. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0805
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pharmacy Techniciansprimary SOC 29-2052 | $45,750 | +6.4% Faster than average | ~49,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (CIP 51.08).
- Medical/CIP 51.0801
Clinical Assistant 55,276 graduates / yr1,057 institutions - Physical Therapy AssistantCIP 51.08065,489 graduates / yr360 institutions
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting ServicesCIP 51.08994,386 graduates / yr75 institutions
- Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance)CIP 51.08104,277 graduates / yr79 institutions
- Occupational Therapist AssistantCIP 51.08033,204 graduates / yr213 institutions
- Radiologist AssistantCIP 51.0814partial data1,676 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Clinical/CIP 51.0802
Medical Laboratory Assistant 663 graduates / yr34 institutions - Anesthesiologist AssistantCIP 51.0809497 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Speech-Language Pathology AssistantCIP 51.0816304 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Respiratory Therapy Technician/CIP 51.0812
Assistant 258 graduates / yr19 institutions - Pathology/CIP 51.0811
Pathologist Assistant 178 graduates / yr13 institutions - Lactation ConsultantCIP 51.0815partial data47 graduates / yr4 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Chiropractic Technician/
Assistant51.0813
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs →
Common questions
What is the duration of the Pharmacy Technician/Assistant program?+
The program typically awards credentials ranging from at least 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, mathematics, and patient communication.
What types of jobs can I get after completing this program?+
You can work as a Pharmacy Technician or pursue roles in health specialties education.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 353 colleges in the U.S. offering the Pharmacy Technician/Assistant program.
What is the CIP code for Pharmacy Technician/Assistant?+
Pharmacy Technician/Assistant is CIP 51.0805 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (CIP 51.08). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of pharmacists, to prepare medications, provide medications and related assistance to patients, and manage pharmacy clinical and business operations. Includes instruction in medical and pharmaceutical terminology, principles of pharmacology and pharmaceutics, drug identification, pharmacy laboratory procedures, prescription interpretation, patient communication and education, safety procedures, record-keeping, measurement and testing techniques, pharmacy business operations, prescription preparation, logistics and dispensing operations, and applicable standards and regulations.
How many institutions offer Pharmacy Technician/Assistant programs?+
353 U.S. institutions reported Pharmacy Technician/Assistant graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 46 states & territories, awarding 8,060 credentials in the year. That is 9.6% of all Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services graduates.
How much do Pharmacy Technician/Assistant graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Pharmacy Technicians occupation, which Pharmacy Technician/Assistant most directly leads to, pays a median of $45,750 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services field report median earnings of $29,388 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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