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What are pharmacy technician salaries like in Minnesota?

Minnesota's combination of competitive salaries, strong healthcare network, high quality of life and a growing demand in healthcare services make it a great state to consider for a pharmacy technician career. Here's a more comprehensive look at what Minnesota has to offer those interested in pharm tech education and careers:

• A strong healthcare infrastructure: Minnesota boasts a high-quality healthcare system with major health networks like Mayo Clinic, HealthPartners and Allina Health. This infrastructure creates a solid demand for pharmacy services, making it a stable environment for pharmacy technicians.

• Competitive salaries: Pharmacy technicians in Minnesota earn higher-than-average wages compared to those in many other states. While the exact pay varies by location and experience, Minnesota offers competitive compensation, often due to the higher living standards and cost of living in parts of the state.

• Abundant educational and training programs: Minnesota has several programs for pharmacy technician training through community colleges and vocational schools. Programs like those at Saint Paul College and Minneapolis College ensure that technicians can gain certification and enhance their employability within the state. Additionally, some employers, such as Mayo Clinic, offer on-the-job training and career advancement opportunities for pharmacy technicians.

• Demand for services: Minnesota's aging population is leading to increased demand for healthcare services, including pharmacy support. With a higher-than-average population over age 65, the state needs pharmacy technicians to meet the growing prescription and medication management needs. This demographic trend positively impacts job stability and demand.

• Quality of life: Known for its quality of life, Minnesota offers a balance between urban and suburban environments with strong public health and wellness programs, good education systems, outdoor activities and high rates of volunteerism and community engagement. This makes it a desirable state for professionals who want a supportive environment both for work and personal life.

Overview: Pharmacy technicians in Minnesota

There are 8,050 people employed as pharmacy technicians in Minnesota which amounts to nearly three people being pharm techs for every 1,000 people living in the state, said the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median wage per hour is $23 and the forecasted job growth for the coming decade is 7.2%, faster than the job growth rate for all other career fields combined, said the BLS.

Of note is nearly every major metro area in Minnesota pays pharm techs above the national median. Here are five of the top employers in Minnesota that frequently hire pharmacy technicians across healthcare, retail and specialized pharmacy sectors:

• Mayo Clinic, Rochester: Located in Rochester, Mayo Clinic is one of the largest healthcare providers in Minnesota and a world-renowned medical center. With a high demand for healthcare services, Mayo Clinic offers pharmacy technicians opportunities in hospital and clinical settings, providing career growth and extensive benefits.
  
• Allina Health, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Edina and multiple locations: Headquartered in Minneapolis, Allina Health is a major healthcare system with hospitals and clinics across Minnesota. Pharmacy technicians at Allina Health can work in both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy settings, offering diverse career paths within the healthcare sector.
  
• Fairview Health Services, Saint Paul, Grand Rapids and multiple locations: Partnered with the University of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services operates a wide range of hospitals, clinics and retail pharmacies in the state. Pharmacy technicians at Fairview support various functions, including medication preparation, distribution and patient education, with opportunities for career development.
  
• CVS Health, Multiple locations: With numerous locations across Minnesota, CVS Health is a major retail pharmacy chain that hires pharmacy technicians to assist with prescription processing, customer service and inventory management. CVS often provides training and support for certification, allowing new technicians to enter the field.
  
• Walgreens, Multiple locations: Another top retail pharmacy employer in Minnesota, Walgreens provides extensive opportunities for pharmacy technicians across the state. Walgreens locations offer various roles in prescription filling, customer interaction and insurance processing, making it a solid employer with a nationwide presence.

Salary quick stats

While the median national salary for pharmacy technicians rests at $43,460 a year, pay in Minnesota averages higher, and may vary depending upon several factors, including where you work and live in Minnesota, how much experience you have, what professional certifications you have earned and your level of education. Of note is Minnesota's relatively high wages are driven by a combination of factors related to its diversified economy, high standards of living and workforce characteristics.

Healthcare is a particularly prominent sector in the state, with major employers like the Mayo Clinic and UnitedHealth Group. High demand for healthcare professionals and support roles such as pharm techs contributes to wage increases not only within the sector but also in adjacent fields that support healthcare operations.

Minnesota also has one of the highest rates of college graduates in the nation, meaning there's a more skilled workforce available. This skilled labor pool makes the job market more competitive, allowing skilled workers to command higher wages.

The salary widget below provides the median national wage for pharmacy technicians along with data for different metro areas in Minnesota, listed by highest paying first.

Median annual salaries in Minnesota

Salary range for pharmacy technicians in Minnesota

The salary range for pharmacy technicians in Minnesota spans from $37,780 for the lowest 10% to $59,970 for the highest 10% per year, said the BLS. Entry-level pharmacy technicians tend to earn closer to the lower end of the range, around $37,000 annually, while mid-level technicians earn in the upper-$40,000s. Experienced or senior-level technicians in top industries, such as hospitals and ambulatory healthcare services, may earn $58,000 or more​.

Pay by metro area within Minnesota

Your earning level may depend not only on your experience, but where you live within a state. Not surprisingly, cities tend to pay better than rural or less populated towns. If your city is an industry hub, say for example you work as a pharmacy technician in Minneapolis, Saint Paul or Rochester, pay tends to be more competitive and in all three of these cities surpasses the national median. That said, here's what the BLS reports as highest paying cities in the U.S. As you can see, California metro areas dominate the top 10 and no metro area in Minnesota makes the list.

Growth and job outlook

The pharmaceutical industry in general is experiencing growth, with the BLS projecting 7.2% job growth over the next decade for technicians. Minnesota's pharmacy technician job growth is expected to align closely with national trends, and Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development uses models based on BLS projections and anticipates that demand for pharmacy technicians will continue to grow as the healthcare landscape adapts to serve an aging and increasing population​.

However, there are regional factors in Minnesota that could slightly enhance this growth, particularly in urban areas where pharmacy access and healthcare services are expanding. Moreover, the state's community-focused healthcare initiatives, including new training and certification programs, are likely to encourage job growth in the pharmacy sector. While Minnesota's pharmacy technician growth is not projected to significantly outpace the national average, local initiatives and a strong healthcare employment base suggest steady demand for these professionals throughout the decade.

Factors affecting pharm tech salaries in Minnesota

Pharm tech education in Minnesota

To become a pharmacy technician in Minnesota, you generally need to follow these educational and certification steps:

• Earn a high school diploma or equivalent: This is the minimum educational requirement to start a pharmacy technician training program.
• Complete a pharmacy technician education program: While Minnesota does not strictly require formal postsecondary education for pharmacy technicians, many employers prefer or require candidates to complete an accredited training program. These programs, often available at community colleges, vocational schools and online, cover essential topics such as pharmacy law, medical terminology and pharmacology. Accredited programs by organizations such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) provide comprehensive training, which may improve job prospects.
• Gain certification: While not mandatory statewide, Minnesota employers often require pharmacy technicians to be certified by either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The PTCB requires candidates to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) after completing approved training or equivalent work experience. Certification is generally highly regarded and can improve job opportunities and earning potential.
• Register with the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy: All pharmacy technicians in Minnesota must register with the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy. Registration involves submitting an application and paying a fee. If certified, you'll also need to provide proof of your credentials.
• On-the-job training: Some employers may provide on-the-job training for pharmacy technicians, especially for entry-level roles. In Minnesota, this experience may also count toward the experience requirement if you plan to take the certification exam.
• Continuing education: Certified pharmacy technicians must complete continuing education to maintain certification, with the PTCB, for example, requiring 20 hours of continuing education every two years.

Cost of living considerations

RentCafe says the cost of living in Minnesota is 4% lower than the national average, which makes the higher salaries pharm techs are paid in the state even more inviting. Housing is 15% lower than the national average and food and groceries are right at the national average at 0%. Here are average costs of living for several Minnesota cities, including those the BLS lists as paying pharmacy techs the highest salaries:

Minnesota city	Cost of living %
Minneapolis	6% lower than the national average
Saint Paul	6% lower than the national average
St. Cloud	2% lower than the national average
Rochester	0% higher/lower than the national average
Mankato	7% lower than the national average

Professional associations for pharm techs

Here are two professional associations that can support and advocate for pharmacy technicians in Minnesota:

This pharmacy technician salary guide for Minnesota strives to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the salary landscape and key information regarding becoming a pharmacy tech and the profession in the state. Use this guide as a starting point to make informed decisions about your career path, negotiating salaries and for setting realistic expectations about your educational and professional future.