Pharmacy Technician in Maryland

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MD. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$43,100

trending_down -0.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Maryland.

engineering

8,590

Jobs (MD)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$174

Licensing fees

schedule

6-12 months

Time to complete

route How to become a pharmacy technician in Maryland

To become a registered Pharmacy Technician in Maryland, individuals must register with the Maryland Board of Pharmacy. Key steps include being at least 17 years old, having a high school diploma or GED (or being currently enrolled in high school), and either completing a Board-approved training program with 160 hours of practical experience and passing an approved exam, or obtaining national certification through the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT). A criminal background check is also required. Reciprocity is available for technicians registered in other states with similar requirements. For the first renewal, 10 continuing education hours are needed, and 20 hours for subsequent renewals.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,470

25th percentile $36,700

50th (median) $43,100

75th percentile $49,620

90th (experienced) $59,480

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Maryland. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Maryland requirements

Licensing body	Maryland Board of Pharmacy
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED, or be currently enrolled in high school. Completion of a board-approved training program OR national certification (PTCB or NHA).
Experience	160.0 hours
Exam	PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) if not completing a Board-approved training program with an exam. ($129)
Application fee	$45
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	10.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 17. Requires a criminal background check (cost approximately $38). For the first renewal cycle, 10 CE hours are required; for subsequent cycles, 20 CE hours are required. All health practitioners must attest to completing an implicit bias training program on their first license renewal after April 1, 2022.

Source: Maryland Board of Pharmacy

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+6.4%

Faster than average

Annual openings

49,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

490,400

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure 0.01/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleMaryland license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a pharmacy technician career is the right fit?

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a pharmacy technician in Maryland? expand_more

The path to pharmacy technician licensure in Maryland: complete the required education (High school diploma or GED, or be currently enrolled in high school. Completion of a board-approved training program OR national certification (PTCB or NHA).), gain 160.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) if not completing a Board-approved training program with an exam., and submit your application ($45 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a pharmacy technician in Maryland? expand_more

Yes, Maryland requires a state license to practice as a pharmacy technician. The licensing body is Maryland Board of Pharmacy. You must pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) if not completing a Board-approved training program with an exam..

How much do pharmacy technicians make in Maryland? expand_more

pharmacy technicians in Maryland earn a median of $43,100 annually. That's roughly in line with the $43,460 national median. Wages range from $35,470 (10th percentile) up to $59,480 (90th percentile).

How much does it cost to become a pharmacy technician in Maryland? expand_more

Between exam fee ($129) and application fee ($45), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician in Maryland? expand_more

The typical timeline in Maryland is 6-12 months. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

How many CE hours do pharmacy technicians need in Maryland? expand_more

To keep your license active, Maryland mandates 10.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.