33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
TEER 3Occupations usually requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training
Lead statement
Pharmacy technical assistants perform technical tasks related to preparing medications under a pharmacist’s supervision. They also assist in filling prescriptions and managing patient files. Pharmacy assistants perform clerical functions and assists pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with drug dispensing tasks.
Main duties
- Assess prescriptions for completeness
- Enter clients’ information and prescription details in databases
- Help pharmacists and other pharmacy staff with preparing, packaging and labelling of pharmaceutical products
- Assist in maintaining inventories of medications and pharmaceutical products
- Compound oral solutions, ointments and creams
- May process medical billing information
- May price and stock items on shelves.
Employment requirements
- Pharmacy technical assistants usually require completion of up to two-years of a Pharmacy Technical Assistance vocational program.
- Pharmacy assistants usually require completion of a Pharmacy Assistant college program, ranging from six to twelve months or completion of secondary school andseveral months of on-the-job training.
Example job titles
pharmacy assistant · pharmacy technical assistant · pharmacy aide · drugstore dispensing assistant · dispensary assistant · pharmacy supply assistant · drugstore side room attendant · pharmacy side room attendant · pharmacy helper
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $16.00 | $20.00 | $26.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $19.50 | $30.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $18.00 | $25.00 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $19.90 | $26.00 |
| Quebec | $16.10 | $21.00 | $28.00 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $19.50 | $26.00 |
| Manitoba | $17.00 | $22.50 | $27.62 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Alberta | $15.05 | $20.00 | $25.60 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $20.00 | $26.95 |
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.