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If your dream is to work in the medical field, you can consider a career as a pharmacy technician.
To get a job in the field, you will need some qualifications, so read on to learn more info about this occupation in Texas!
Article Table of Contents
Training Requirements in Texas
The first requirements are to be 18 years old and have a high-school diploma or an equivalent.
Then, you will have to take and pass a background check.
In order to start working, you will need to be trained by a pharmacist or enroll in a training program.
The programs in Texas that provide pharmacy technician training are offered through vocational colleges or trade schools.
Keep in mind that you also need to choose a program accredited by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP)
Some of the accredited programs can be found in the following schools:
- Northwest Vista College
- Austin Community College
- Amarillo College
- Pima Medical Institute
- Penn Foster Career School
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alvin Community College | 3110 Mustang Rd, Alvin, Texas 77511-4898 |
| Amarillo College | 2011 S. Washington, Amarillo, Texas 79109 |
| Angelina College | 3500 South First, Lufkin, Texas 75902-1768 |
| Austin Community College District | 5930 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, Texas 78752 |
| CCI Training Center | 770 E. Road To Six Flags # 140, Arlington, Texas 76011 |
| Cisco College | 101 College Heights, Cisco, Texas 76437 |
| Coastal Bend College | 3800 Charco Rd, Beeville, Texas 78102 |
| College of the Mainland | 1200 Amburn Road, Texas City, Texas 77591-2499 |
| Del Mar College | 101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78404-3897 |
| El Paso Community College | 9050 Viscount Blvd, El Paso, Texas 79925 |
| Houston Community College | 3100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002 |
| International Business College | 1155 N Zaragosa Rd Suite 100, El Paso, Texas 79907 |
| Lamar Institute of Technology | 855 E Lavaca, Beaumont, Texas 77705 |
| Lamar Institute of Technology | 410 Front St, Orange, Texas 77630 |
| Lone Star College System | 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381-4399 |
| Medical Education and Training Campus | 3018 William Hardee Road, Bldg 895, Joint Base San Antonio, TX 78234 |
| Milan Institute | 7001 I-40 West, Amarillo, Texas 79106 |
| National American University | 13801 Burnet Road, Suite 300, Austin, Texas 78727-1208 |
| Navarro College | 3200 W 7th Avenue, Corsicana, Texas 75110 |
| Northwest Educational Center | 2910 Antoine B-100, Houston, Texas 77092 |
| Northwest Vista College | 3535 N. Ellison Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78251 |
| Pima Medical Institute | 10201 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024 |
| Platt College | 2974 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75234 |
| Remington College | 1800 Eastgate Dr, Garland, Texas 75041 |
| Remington College | 300 E. Loop 820, Fort Worth, Texas 76112-1225 |
| Remington College | 11310 Greens Crossing Blvd, Ste 300, Houston, Texas 77067 |
| Remington College | 20985 Interstate 45 South, Webster, Texas 77598 |
| RGV Careers | 1200 West Polk Avenue, Pharr, Texas 78577-2106 |
| Richland College | 12800 Abrams Road, Dallas, TX 75243-2199 |
| San Jacinto Community College | 8060 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, Texas 77501-2007 |
| South Texas College | 3201 W Pecan, McAllen, Texas 78502-9701 |
| Southwest School of Business and Technical Careers | 602 W. Southcross, San Antonio, Texas 78221-0138 |
| Tarrant County College District | 1500 Houston St, Fort Worth, Texas 76102-6524 |
| Texas State Technical College | 3801 Campus Drive, Waco, Texas 76705 |
| Vernon College | 4400 College Dr., Vernon, Texas 76384-4092 |
How Can You Get Licensed in Texas
Texas does not require its pharmacy technicians to be licensed.
But, if you get a certification, you will be able to get your first job much faster.
The first step in getting licensed in registering with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP).
To apply for the license, you must have the required training, a degree, or a diploma from your training program.
After you provided these, you will also have to take an exam.
The exam is either offered through the PTCB or the NHA.
No matter which of the exams you choose to take, you will have to pay a fee.
The fee totals $129 for the PTCB exam and $117 for the NHA exam.
After you pass your exam, you will be issued a license.
Before the license has to be renewed, you will need to take 20 additional class hours.
Average Salaries for Pharmacy Technicians in Texas
Once you get licensed, you probably want to know how much you will earn.
As an entry-level pharmacy technician, you may not make as much as those who have experience.
In larger cities in Texas like Austin or Dallas, you have higher opportunities for a good salary.
Your education will also matter when looking for a job.
If you only have a diploma, you may be earning less than pharmacy technicians with an associate’s degree.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston | $35,997 |
| San Antonio | $34,149 |
| Dallas | $34,780 |
| Austin | $34,539 |
| Fort Worth | $34,220 |
| El Paso | $30,717 |
| Arlington | $34,164 |
| Corpus Christi | $32,569 |
| Plano | $34,630 |
| Laredo | $31,105 |
Regional Salary in Texas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 260 | $37,370 | $17.97 | $46,520 | $30,000 |
| Amarillo, TX | 400 | $37,650 | $18.1 | $46,440 | $29,350 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 2,840 | $42,900 | $20.62 | $50,470 | $35,600 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 520 | $38,750 | $18.63 | $46,400 | $29,680 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 430 | $36,560 | $17.58 | $45,870 | $28,770 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 360 | $38,870 | $18.69 | $47,040 | $29,980 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 570 | $38,980 | $18.74 | $46,220 | $30,590 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 10,970 | $39,420 | $18.95 | $48,670 | $29,150 |
| El Paso, TX | 1,100 | $35,870 | $17.24 | $45,280 | $29,110 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 8,470 | $44,680 | $21.48 | $53,920 | $30,510 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 500 | $41,500 | $19.95 | $50,760 | $31,220 |
| Laredo, TX | 220 | $37,210 | $17.89 | $45,080 | $29,170 |
| Longview, TX | 280 | $37,380 | $17.97 | $47,050 | $29,370 |
| Lubbock, TX | 520 | $37,600 | $18.08 | $48,530 | $28,740 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 990 | $36,130 | $17.37 | $45,330 | $29,410 |
| Midland, TX | 170 | $43,330 | $20.83 | $49,470 | $34,540 |
| Odessa, TX | 170 | $40,640 | $19.54 | $52,530 | $29,660 |
| San Angelo, TX | 150 | $38,300 | $18.41 | $46,280 | $30,470 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 3,250 | $41,050 | $19.73 | $48,890 | $33,610 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 170 | $36,640 | $17.61 | $44,930 | $28,750 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 220 | $36,570 | $17.58 | $43,870 | $29,980 |
| Tyler, TX | 420 | $37,840 | $18.19 | $46,500 | $29,310 |
| Victoria, TX | 140 | $38,200 | $18.37 | $45,450 | $30,430 |
| Waco, TX | 330 | $41,030 | $19.72 | $51,270 | $30,710 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 210 | $38,720 | $18.62 | $49,380 | $28,720 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Where Can You Get Hired as a Pharmacy Technician in Texas
Pharmacy technicians can work in any medical facility, like hospitals, drugstores, and nursing homes.
You may requested to perform some pharmacist duties, as well as work on the weekends and at night, as many facilities need specialized personnel 24/7 on their premises.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a growth of 21% in pharmacy technician jobs from 2016 to 2026.
This means that you will find numerous work opportunities in this state.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician Schools by State