Pharmacy Technician in Oregon

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

Median annual salary

$51,210

trending_up +17.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Oregon.

engineering

4,570

Jobs (OR)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$199

Licensing fees

schedule

4-6 weeks for application processing; training programs vary (e.g., 3 weeks to 2 years).

Time to complete

route How to become a pharmacy technician in Oregon

To become a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. You can apply for a standard Pharmacy Technician (PT) license, which allows you to work under supervision for up to one year before national certification is required, or a Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician (COPT) license, which requires current national certification through PTCB or NHA. All applicants must submit an online application to the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, pay the application and background check fees, and complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $42,940

25th percentile $47,020

50th (median) $51,210

75th percentile $61,020

90th (experienced) $65,320

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

checklist Oregon requirements

Licensing body	Oregon Board of Pharmacy
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED. National certification (PTCB or NHA) is required for a Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician (COPT) license. A standard Pharmacy Technician (PT) license does not require national certification initially, but technicians may work for up to one year under supervision before certification is required.
Exam	PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129)
Application fee	$70
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	20.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18. A fingerprint-based criminal background check is required for all applicants. There is an additional $45 national fingerprint background check fee and a $12.50 fingerprint appointment fee. CE requirements include 2 hours in pharmacy law, 2 hours in patient safety or medication error prevention, and 2 hours in cultural competency per cycle.

Source: Oregon Board of Pharmacy

workspace_premium Oregon license tiers

Oregon offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Pharmacy Technician	N/A
Certified Oregon 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_circleOregon 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?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a pharmacy technician in Oregon? expand_more

The path to pharmacy technician licensure in Oregon: complete the required education (High school diploma or GED. National certification (PTCB or NHA) is required for a Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician (COPT) license. A standard Pharmacy Technician (PT) license does not require national certification initially, but technicians may work for up to one year under supervision before certification is required.), pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT), and submit your application ($70 fee).

Is a pharmacy technician license required in Oregon? expand_more

Yes, Oregon requires a state license to practice as a pharmacy technician. The licensing body is Oregon Board of Pharmacy. You must pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT).

What do pharmacy technicians earn in Oregon? expand_more

Oregon pharmacy technicians bring home a median salary of $51,210. — 18% higher than the $43,460 national figure. Wages range from $42,940 (10th percentile) up to $65,320 (90th percentile).

What's the total cost to get pharmacy technician certified in Oregon? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($129) and application fee ($70) plus your education and training.

How quickly can I become a pharmacy technician in Oregon? expand_more

Most candidates in Oregon complete the process in 4-6 weeks for application processing; training programs vary (e.g., 3 weeks to 2 years)., from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

What are the continuing education requirements for pharmacy technicians in Oregon? expand_more

License renewal in Oregon requires completing 20.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.