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 Pharmacy Assisting Degree - Online and Campus Programs

Pharmacy Assistant Studies: Prescription for a High Demand Career

When looking for entry-level pharmacy jobs, the positions of pharmacy aide and pharmacy technician are often confused. Pharmacy aid and pharmacy technician careers are similar in that both:
  • Assist pharmacists
  • Find about 75% of available jobs are in retail outlets
  • Work odd hours that sometimes include nights, weekends, and holidays
  • Realize the best job opportunities after completing pharmacy assistant or technician programs
However, the differences in their level of responsibilities are substantial. Pharmaceutical assistants handle clerical duties in a pharmacy, such as answering phones, stocking shelves, interacting with customers, and operating cash registers. Pharmacy technicians have more direct responsibility for medications, such as: receiving prescription requests; counting, weighing, and measuring medications, and preparing and affixing medication labels. Pharmacy assistant or technician studies generally require six months to two years to complete. Pharmacy assistant or technician degrees usually lead to an associate of science. Pharmacy assistant and technician programs are offered at hospitals, community colleges, vocational schools, and through the military. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians offer certification to pharmacy technicians with clean criminal records free of drug or medication related offenses.

Pharmaceutical Aide Salaries and Job Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects much faster than average job growth through 2018 for pharmacy assistants and pharmacy technicians. On average, pharmaceutical assistants earn $21,500 per year. The middle 50% of pharmaceutical assistants make $17,620 to $24,180 and the top 10% earned $29,660 annually. Pharmacy technicians gross an average salary of $28,500, with the middle 50% bringing in $22,770 to $33,030, and the top 10% of pharmaceutical technicians net almost $40,000.
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University of Phoenix - Bay Area Campus

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University of Phoenix makes higher education highly accessible.

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  • BS in Health Administration - Emergency Management
  • BS in Health Administration - Health Management
  • BS in Health Administration/Long Term Care
  • Master of Health Administration
  • Master of Health in Administration/Education
  • MS in Nursing/MBA/ Health Care Management

Heald College - Hayward

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Get the real-world education you need to succeed at Heald College.

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  • Medical Assisting

Heald College - San Jose

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Get the real-world education you need to succeed at Heald College.

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  • Medical Assisting

National Holistic Institute - San Jose

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Train for your massage career at National Holistic Institute.

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  • Massage Therapist and Health Educator

Marinello Schools of Beauty - San Mateo

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Get started on your beauty career with training from Marinello Schools of Beauty.

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  • Massage Therapy

Marinello Schools of Beauty - Santa Clara

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Get started on your beauty career with training from Marinello Schools of Beauty.

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  • Master Spa Therapy

Carrington College California - San Jose

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Ready for a rewarding career? Start with a certificate or degree from Carrington College California.

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  • AS in Massage Therapy
  • AS in Medical Assisting
  • Cartificate in Massage Therapy
  • Certificate in Medical Assisting


Acupuncture | Allied Health | Alternative Medicine | Aromatherapy | Athletic and Personal Trainer | Community Health Services | Dental Assisting | Dental Hygienist | Health Administration | Health Informatics | Healthcare | Home Health Aide | Massage Therapy | Medical Assisting | Medical Billing and Coding | Medical Laboratory Assistant | Medical Office Administration | Medical Office Assistant | Medical Technology | Medical Transcription | Nutritional Science | Occupational Therapy | Physical Therapy | Public Health | Rehabilitation | Respiratory Care Therapy | Sports Medicine | Surgical Technologist | Ultrasound and Sonography | Veterinary Assisting

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