Pharmacy Technician in New York

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

Median annual salary

$40,840

trending_down -6.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New York.

engineering

26,450

Jobs (NY)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$304

Licensing fees

schedule

3-12 months

Time to complete

route How to become a pharmacy technician in New York

To become a registered pharmacy technician in New York, you must be certified and registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of the Professions. Key steps include having a high school diploma or GED, obtaining national certification from either the PTCB or NHA, and submitting an online application with a $175 fee. While New York does not mandate state continuing education for renewal, national certifications require 20 hours of CE every two years. Licensure is primarily for those working in hospital or health-system settings; retail pharmacy technicians are not currently state-regulated.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,390

25th percentile $36,690

50th (median) $40,840

75th percentile $48,650

90th (experienced) $62,250

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

checklist New York requirements

Licensing body	New York State Board of Pharmacy
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED, and either national certification or completion of an approved training program.
Exam	PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129)
Application fee	$175
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Notes	Licensure for 'registered pharmacy technicians' is required in New York for those working in hospitals or health-system pharmacies. Retail or community pharmacy technicians are not currently regulated by the state. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and of good moral character. A background check may be required. National certification (PTCB or NHA) requires 20 CE hours every 2 years to maintain.

Source: New York State 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_circleNew York 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 you get certified as a pharmacy technician in New York? expand_more

In New York, becoming a pharmacy technician requires you to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED, and either national certification or completion of an approved training program.), pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT), and submit your application ($175 fee).

Does New York require pharmacy technician licensure? expand_more

You cannot practice as a pharmacy technician in New York without a state license from New York State Board of Pharmacy. The required exam is the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT).

What is the average pharmacy technician salary in New York? expand_more

pharmacy technicians in New York earn a median of $40,840 annually. This trails the $43,460 national median by 6%. The range spans from $35,390 at the entry level to $62,250 for top earners.

How expensive is pharmacy technician licensing in New York? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($129) and application fee ($175) and required training.

How quickly can I become a pharmacy technician in New York? expand_more

Expect to spend 3-12 months from start to finish in New York — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.