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In South Dakota, it is reported that pharmacy technician jobs will grow by 8.9% by 2026.
If you wish to start working in this lucrative field, check out the licensing requirements below.
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Training Requirements in South Dakota
Before you can apply for a working permit, you have to have a high-school diploma.
You should also be 18 years old at the minimum and pass a background check.
You will also need to meet some training criteria.
You can do so by either getting employed by a licensed pharmacist or attend a training program.
If you choose to enroll in a program, you can opt between a diploma or an associate’s degree.
The latter provides better job options, while the diploma programs are generally shorter.
The trading school or vocational college you choose should also be accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) or the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
The programs available at this point are offered by the below schools:
- Southeast Technical Institute: This is a school that is accredited by the Board and offers a 9-month long diploma program.
- Western Dakota Tech: The college provides a pharmacy technician program that lasts for 11 months, after which you will be awarded a diploma.
- Penn Foster Career School: If you don’t have enough time to attend in-person classes, this accredited school provides an online program.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| National American University-Sioux Falls | 5801 South Corporate Place, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57108-4293 |
| Southeast Technical Institute | 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57107-1301 |
| Western Dakota Technical Institute | 800 Mickelson Dr, Rapid City, South Dakota 57703-4018 |
How you can get licensed in South Dakota
First of all, you will need to register with the South Dakota Pharmacy.
If you opted to get hired by a pharmacist, you need to submit your Board registration within a month of getting employed.
You will have to get a national level permit no longer than 2 years after your registration.
For that, you need to take the exam offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
After you receive your pharmacy technician certification, you have to renew it once at 2 years.
You will also need to take 20 additional education hours.
Average Salaries for Pharmacy Technicians in South Dakota
As the industry keeps growing, so do salaries in this state.
While as an entry-level you may not be earning as much as experience technicians, you will start receiving a high salary after a while.
How much you will earn is also impacted by your education and region of employment.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $30,778 |
| Rapid City | $30,480 |
| Aberdeen | $28,622 |
| Brookings | $30,251 |
| Watertown | $30,251 |
| Mitchell | $30,251 |
| Yankton | $29,577 |
| Pierre | $29,149 |
| Huron | $29,437 |
| Spearfish | $29,953 |
Regional Salary in South Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | 200 | $38,720 | $18.61 | $46,690 | $30,390 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 520 | $37,830 | $18.19 | $46,100 | $31,090 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Where Can You Work as a Pharmacy Technician in South Dakota
There are many medical facilities hiring newly licensed pharmacy technicians.
These include pharmacies, drugstores, hospitals, and clinics.
Currently, the best cities to work in are: Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and the western South Dakota area.
If you want to work in another state, this is also easily done as certifications are transferable.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician Schools by State