Dreaming of a healthcare career but not ready for the time or cost of a four-year degree? Becoming a pharmacy technician could be your fastest path into the field. Pharmacy technician associate degree programs teach you how to prepare prescriptions, manage patient records, and assist licensed pharmacists—all while earning your healthcare credential.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians are projected to grow steadily through 2034, earning a median annual wage of $43,460 as of May 2024.1 Whether you want to work in a hospital, retail pharmacy, or clinical setting, this guide will show you what to expect from associate programs, how to choose the right school, and how to launch your career in less than two years.
Key Takeaways
- Pharmacy technician associate programs typically last two years and combine classroom, lab, and clinical externship training.
- Accreditation from ASHP or ACPE ensures eligibility for national certification exams.
- Many online and hybrid programs provide flexible scheduling for working adults.
- Graduates can pursue entry-level jobs or continue toward advanced healthcare degrees.
- Financial aid, employer reimbursement, and scholarships make pharmacy tech education accessible to most students.
What Is a Pharmacy Technician?
Pharmacy technicians support pharmacists by preparing medications, managing inventory, and maintaining accurate patient records. They help prepare and distribute medicines to ensure patients receive safe, effective care and use technology to keep patient records accurate, place pharmacy orders, and package medications.
Pharmacy technicians often register with their state board of pharmacy and, in many states, must earn certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).2,3 These credentials confirm competency and can expand employment opportunities in hospitals, pharmacies, and long-term-care facilities.
What Is a Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree?
A pharmacy technician associate degree trains you in dispensing, safety, and pharmacy operations for entry-level roles or transfer pathways. It is a two-year program that offers pharmacy technician training to work in retail, hospital, or other pharmacy settings. This associate degree is intended to provide you with the necessary knowledge and laboratory skills for helping pharmacists distribute medication and healthcare products to patients.
Many pharmacy technician associate degree programs are structured to meet the educational requirements for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exam (ExCPT).4 Associate degree graduates can also transfer general education credits toward bachelor’s programs in health services or pharmaceutical sciences.
Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree Requirements
Common requirements include a high school diploma or GED, background check, immunizations, and meeting school GPA or placement criteria. Programs may also ask for placement tests and clinical documentation before externships.
Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree Financing Options
You can pursue Pell Grants, federal loans, work-study, and employer programs to reduce out-of-pocket costs for a pharmacy tech associate degree. The maximum Federal Pell Grant for the 2025–26 year is $7,395.5 As of 2025, major employers like Walgreens offer tuition assistance or on-the-job training programs for eligible pharmacy technician trainees.6
Pharmacy Technician Associate Programs and Schools to Explore: At a Glance
Use accreditation and program outcomes to compare pharmacy technician associate degrees across community colleges and career schools. When evaluating schools, you must confirm that each program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) or recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).7,8 Accreditation ensures the coursework meets national standards and qualifies graduates for the CPhT exam.
| School | Program | Accreditation |
| Allen County Community College | Pharmacy Technician Applied Science Associate Degree | Higher Learning Commission |
| Atlanta Technical College | Pharmacy Technology Associate Degree | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Casper College | Pharmacy Technology Associate Degree | Higher Learning Commission |
| North Seattle College | Pharmacy TechnicianAssociate of Applied Science Degree | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
| Remington College | Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree | Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges |
| San Jacinto Community College | Health Science Pharmacy Technician Pathway, Associate of Applied Science | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
Pharmacy Technician Associate Programs to Explore: An In-Depth Look
Below, you’ll find some of the colleges and programs that can help you in your school search and spark your interest in the medical career you want to pursue. These degrees are intended to provide you with a variety of employment opportunities or the ability to transfer credits for a four-year degree.
Pharmacy Technician Associate of Applied Science Degree | Allen County Community College
This degree assists pharmacy tech students in developing skills through hands-on training. They learn practical skills like handling questions about over-the-counter medications or fulfilling orders for prescription medications. Apart from pharmacy technician courses, there are also health science and general education subjects included in the coursework.
Pharmacy Technology Associate Degree | Atlanta Technical College
The associate pharmacy technology program at Atlanta Technical College equips students to be job-ready with practicum assignments included in its coursework. Once they have graduated, they are able to work in pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. Students will also be ready to take the CPhT Examination as soon as they complete the degree.
Pharmacy Technology Associate Degree | Casper College
In its pharmacy technician program, Casper College emphasizes that students need to build the pharmacy tech skills required in the field. Coursework offers a healthy balance of classroom and technical training, covering practical classes like pharmacy calculations, simulation laboratory, and experiential training. The whole course takes two years to complete, with 15–17 credit hours per semester.
Pharmacy Technician Associate of Applied Science Degree | North Seattle College
Through its associate degree program, North Seattle College aims to help aspiring pharmacy techs increase their competency and prepare them for future roles. Here, they learn the fundamentals of pharmacy, such as pharmacy records management, over-the-counter drugs, and ethics. Students get their Pharmacy Technician Associate of Applied Science after completing 94 credits.
Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree | Remington College
Remington College’s pharmacy technician associate degree equips students with essential knowledge in medicine and healthcare to help kickstart their careers. The curriculum covers both theoretical and practical topics, from anatomy and physiology to health science procedures and billing and coding. You’ll learn to keep accurate patient records and how to perform other administrative duties.
Health Science Pharmacy Technician Pathway, Associate of Applied Science | San Jacinto Community College
The 60-credit-hour pharmacy-technician associate degree at San Jacinto College helps students meet their goals for continuing education or immediate employment. With this program, students learn from courses like the essentials of medical terminology and drug classification. The program also has dedicated hours for a pharmacy technician certification review.
Online Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree Programs: At a Glance
| School | Program | Accreditation |
| North Central Missouri College | Pharmacy Technician Associate of Applied Science Degree | Higher Learning Commission |
| North Dakota State College of Science | Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technician | Higher Learning Commission |
| South College | Associate of Science in Health Science (Pre-Pharmacy) | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Spokane Community College | Associate in Applied Science – Pharmacy Technician | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
| Ultimate Medical Academy | Associate of Science in Health Sciences / Pharmacy Technician | Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools |
Online Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree Programs: An In-Depth Look
Below are some online schools where you can earn your pharmacy technician associate degree with distance learning. Online courses offer flexible, self-paced coursework.
Pharmacy Technician Associate of Applied Science Degree | North Central Missouri College
This two-year, online pharmacy technician program has core courses on pharmacy practice and internship alongside general education courses. At the end of this program, students can practice for an entry-level job in the pharmaceutical industry. You’ll need a total of 60 credit hours to complete this program.
Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technician | North Dakota State College of Science
This hybrid associate degree program for pharmacy technicians teaches students about medical terminology, pathology, and nutrition. It also educates on soft skills like customer service and communication, which are valuable for graduates pursuing a pharmacy tech career.
Associate of Science in Health Science (Pre-Pharmacy) | South College
South College’s online/hybrid associate degree in health science has a focus on pre-pharmacy. This program offers fundamental courses on pharmacy, including prescriptions, pharmacy law, and drug administration and safety. Students can move on to advanced degrees in related studies after completing this degree.
Associate in Applied Science – Pharmacy Technician | Spokane Community College
This school’s online associate program for pharmacy technicians prepares students to be advanced healthcare professionals. It covers courses on advanced pharmacology, pharmacy law and ethics, hospital and community drug dispensing, and management. Students must finish 92 total credit hours of mandatory courses to complete the program.
Associate of Applied Science Pharmacy Technician | Ultimate Medical Academy
This online associate degree prepares students to get an entry-level job as a pharmacy technician. The course is a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge. Apart from learning technical skills in pharmacy, students also become job-ready through online courses on patient relations, diversity in the workplace, and working with people. The course includes an in-person externship, offering hands-on experience in the field.
What’s the Average Pharmacy Technician Salary?
Should You Get an Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technician?
An associate degree can accelerate entry into pharmacy settings and build a foundation if you plan to pursue advanced healthcare studies. With this degree, you’ll receive practical training on assisting licensed pharmacists and gain the edge needed to enter the healthcare field with confidence.
Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree FAQs
How long does it take to earn a pharmacy technician associate degree online?
It takes about two years to finish an online associate program, or 18–20 months through an accelerated option.
What is the major for pharmacy tech?
Students should focus on science courses such as chemistry and biology before enrolling in pharmacy technology.
Is a pharmacy technician a good job?
A pharmacy technician job suits people who are detail-oriented, skilled in math and science, and who enjoy helping patients and customers.
Are pharmacy techs in demand?
Yes. About 49,000 openings for pharmacy technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2024–2034.1
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What certifications do pharmacy technicians need?
Most employers require either the PTCB’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the NHA’s ExCPT, both renewed every two years through continuing education.
Can I advance my career after becoming a pharmacy technician?
Yes. Experienced techs can specialize in compounding or sterile products, move into management, or pursue further education.
Sources:
1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm
2 https://ptcb.org/credentials/certification/certified-pharmacy-technician/
3 https://www.nhanow.com/certification/nha-certifications/certified-pharmacy-technician-(cpht)
4 https://ptcb.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/201055227-Certified-Pharmacy-Technician-CPhT
5 https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell
6 https://jobs.walgreens.com/en/pharmacy-education-assistance
7 https://www.ashp.org/professional-development/technician-program-accreditation
8 https://www.acpe-accredit.org/pharmacy-technician-education-accreditation-collaboration/
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