Pharmacy Technician in Montana

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

Median annual salary
$46,980
trending_up +8.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Montana.

engineering
1,400

Jobs (MT)

monitoring Strong
+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments
$164

Licensing fees

schedule
3-12 months

Time to complete

route How to become a pharmacy technician in Montana

To become a Pharmacy Technician in Montana, you must obtain a state license from the Montana Board of Pharmacy. Key steps include being at least 18 years old, having a high school diploma or GED, and obtaining national certification from either the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT). While Montana does not have specific state CE requirements, maintaining national certification necessitates completing 20 CE hours every two years, including specific hours in pharmacy law and patient safety. A criminal background check is also required, and a provisional license is available for those not yet nationally certified.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,370
25th percentile $39,360
50th (median) $46,980
75th percentile $49,740
90th (experienced) $58,470

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

checklist Montana requirements

Licensing bodyMontana Board of Pharmacy
State license Required
EducationHigh school diploma or GED. National certification required for Certified Pharmacy Technician.
ExamPTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129)
Application fee$35
RenewalEvery 1.0 year
NotesMinimum age is 18. A criminal background check is required. CE requirements are met by maintaining national certification (20 hours every 2 years, including 1 hour in pharmacy law and 1 hour in patient safety for PTCB and NHA). Montana offers a provisional license for those not yet nationally certified, valid for one year (or two years effective December 6, 2025).

Source: Montana Board of Pharmacy

workspace_premium Montana license tiers

Montana offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:

Tier Hours required
Technician-in-Training N/A
Certified Pharmacy Technician N/A

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_circleMontana license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a pharmacy technician in Montana? expand_more
To become a pharmacy technician in Montana, you need to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED. National certification required for Certified Pharmacy Technician.), pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT), and submit your application ($35 fee).
Does Montana require pharmacy technician licensure? expand_more
Montana mandates state licensure for pharmacy technicians. Montana Board of Pharmacy oversees the process, which includes passing the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT).
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Montana? expand_more
Montana pharmacy technicians bring home a median salary of $46,980. This exceeds the $43,460 national median by 8%. The range spans from $37,370 at the entry level to $58,470 for top earners.
What's the total cost to get pharmacy technician certified in Montana? expand_more
The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($129) and application fee ($35) and required training.
How many months or years does pharmacy technician certification take in Montana? expand_more
Expect to spend 3-12 months from start to finish in Montana — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

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