32124 – Pharmacy technicians
TEER 2Occupations usually requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship of 2 years or more, or supervisory occupations
Lead statement
Pharmacy technicians perform technical functions relating to prescriptions including gathering patients’ information, product preparation, product distribution and inventory control. Pharmacy technicians who are supervisors are included in this unit group.
Main duties
- Assist pharmacists to maintain inventories of medications and prescription records of pharmaceutical products
- Assess prescriptions for completeness and ensure information is accurate
- Gather and enter client information in databases and prepare medications for clients in collaboration with pharmacists
- Compound pharmaceutical products such as intravenous injections, oral solutions, ointments and creams
- Process payment of prescriptions and other pharmacy services including direct billing to third party insurers
- Provide instructions on how to use health aids, and medical devices such as drug administration devices and monitoring devices
- May help with scheduling and workflow.
Employment requirements
- Pharmacy technicians usually require a two-year pharmacy technician college program or completion of a two- to three-year college program in pharmaceutics and supervised practical training.
- Completion of the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) certification exams is required for pharmacy technicians.
- Registration with a regulatory body is required for pharmacy technicians in all provinces except Quebec.
Example job titles
licensed pharmacy technician · certified pharmacy technician · registered pharmacy technician · senior pharmacy technician · regulated pharmacy technician · pharmacy technician supervisor · pharmaceutical technician · pharmacy technician
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $17.50 | $24.83 | $34.20 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $18.75 | $26.94 | $31.85 |
| Nova Scotia | $17.00 | $25.00 | $30.00 |
| New Brunswick | $18.00 | $26.94 | $31.85 |
| Quebec | $17.00 | $20.00 | $27.00 |
| Ontario | $18.00 | $26.45 | $36.80 |
| Manitoba | $18.00 | $28.00 | $38.82 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.50 | $25.00 | $36.92 |
| Alberta | $18.50 | $26.75 | $38.98 |
| British Columbia | $20.00 | $31.00 | $34.18 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.