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What are pharmacy technician salaries like in Virginia?

Virginia offers a promising environment for pharmacy technicians due to the mix of salaries and a healthcare system that prioritizes accessibility and innovation. The median salary for pharmacy technicians in Virginia typically hovers around the national median, with variations depending on location, experience and work setting. Urban centers like Richmond, Virginia Beach and Northern Virginia may offer higher pay due to the demand in large hospitals, research institution, and specialty pharmacies. Rural areas may see slightly lower wages but could provide more manageable workloads and lower living costs.

Virginia has made significant strides in combating drug and opioid issues, but challenges remain. While the state has a lower overdose death rate than national hotspots like West Virginia or Ohio, it still contends with a significant number of opioid-related fatalities annually. Much of Virginia's progress can be attributed to proactive measures, such as robust prescription monitoring programs, expanded access to naloxone and community-focused prevention initiatives, all of which pharmacy technicians in the state play a part.

Education and resources play crucial roles in these improvements. Virginia benefits from a relatively high level of educational attainment and strong public health infrastructure, which includes accessible treatment options and a focus on harm reduction. Additionally, the state's investment in healthcare professionals, including pharmacy technicians, helps ensure that communities have the resources they need to manage prescription safety and support recovery efforts. These dynamics not only provide pharmacy technicians with meaningful work but also position Virginia as a state where their contributions are particularly impactful.

Overview: Pharmacy technicians in Virginia

There are 11,540 people employed as pharmacy technicians in Virginia which means nearly three people are pharm techs for every 1,000 people living in the state, said the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In fact the BLS said that Harrisonburg is the second highest metro area with the highest concentration of pharm tech jobs in the U.S. while the southwestern Virginia nonmetropolitan area is the fifth highest nonmetro area for concentration of jobs in the country. The median wage per hour is $20 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.

Becoming a pharmacy technician in Virginia offers competitive salaries, especially in urban centers, along with opportunities to work in diverse settings like hospitals, retail pharmacies and specialty clinics. The state's proactive approach to healthcare challenges makes this a rewarding career path with a meaningful impact.

Here are five primary employers that frequently hire pharmacy technicians in Virginia, along with how they utilize these roles. Each of these employers offers pharmacy technicians the chance to expand their skill sets and engage in roles that go beyond traditional dispensing, making Virginia an excellent state to pursue this career.

• Inova Health System, Falls Church, Broadland and multiple locations across Northern Virginia: At Inova's hospitals and outpatient centers, pharmacy technicians compound medications, prepare sterile IV solutions and assist pharmacists with ensuring accurate dosing for patients in critical care or surgery.
  
• CVS Health, Multiple locations across the state: Pharmacy technicians assist with processing prescriptions, managing inventory and providing customer service. CVS also offers specialized roles in clinical support and medication therapy management, giving technicians opportunities to engage in patient care initiatives.
  
• Sentara Healthcare, Bridgewater, Covington and multiple locations across the state: Pharmacy technicians work in hospital pharmacies and outpatient clinics, preparing and dispensing medications, managing automated dispensing machines and assisting in quality assurance processes to improve patient safety.
  
• Kroger Pharmacy, Richmond, Harrisonburg, Blacksburg and multiple locations across the state: In this setting, technicians fill prescriptions, counsel patients on over-the-counter medication and support immunization services. Kroger also offers roles involving specialty medications for chronic conditions.
  
• Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health, Richmond, Fredericksburg, South Hill and multiple locations: Pharmacy technicians in this advanced setting prepare research medications, compound specialty treatments and work closely with pharmacists and medical teams to deliver personalized patient care in clinical trials and complex medical cases.

Salary quick stats

While the median national salary for pharmacy technicians rests at $43,460 a year, pay may vary depending upon several factors, including where you work and live in Virginia, how much experience you have, what professional certifications you have earned and your level of education.

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

Median annual salaries in Virginia

Salary range for pharmacy technicians in Virginia

The salary range for pharmacy technicians in Virginia typically spans from $35,510 for the lowest 10% (entry-level) to $57,530 for the highest 10% (senior-level or management) per year. Below is an outline of salary ranges by career level:

• Entry-level: Entry-level technicians typically work in retail pharmacies or smaller clinics, focusing on basic tasks like prescription filling, inventory management and customer service. Salaries at this level are often influenced by geographic location, with urban centers offering higher pay. Salary range: $31,000 to $36,000 annually
• Mid-level: Technicians with 3-5 years of experience and certifications such as PTCB or IV compounding, are often employed in hospitals, specialty pharmacies or high-volume retail settings. They may handle more complex tasks, such as assisting with sterile compounding, automated dispensing machines and medication reconciliation. Salary range: $36,000 to $46,000
• Senior-level: Senior roles include supervisory positions, specialized technicians such as those specializing in oncology or informatics, or roles in academic medical centers like VCU Health. These professionals manage training programs, oversee pharmacy operations and support clinical trials or advanced therapies. Salary range: $46,000 to $52,000

Pay by metro area within Virginia

Your earning level may depend not only on your experience, but where you live in Virginia. As a rule, cities tend to pay better than rural or less populated areas because the cost of living is higher in a metropolitan area. If your city is an industry hub, say for example you work as a pharmacy technician in Richmond or Charlottesville, pay tends to be more competitive and surpasses the national median at $40,790 and $44,480 annually. 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. However, the BLS said that Harrisonburg is the second highest metro area with the highest concentration of pharm tech jobs in the U.S.

Salary growth and job outlook

The job growth outlook for pharmacy technicians in Virginia closely mirrors the national forecast provided by the BLS projection of 7.2% job growth over the next decade. Virginia's pharmacy technician job market benefits from increased prescription medication use and advances in pharmaceuticals. These trends are expected to sustain a stable demand for pharmacy technicians over the next decade. However, the state's anticipated growth rate is not expected to surpass the national average significantly, suggesting consistency rather than exceptional expansion.

Factors affecting pharm tech salaries in Virginia

Pharm tech education in Virginia

In Virginia, becoming a pharmacy technician involves meeting specific education and training requirements, which are influenced by state regulations. Here's an overview of the requirements:

• You must have a high school diploma or GED to qualify for pharmacy technician roles. After completing high school, Virginia requires completion of a Virginia Board of Pharmacy-approved education program. These programs cover key topics like pharmaceutical calculations, medication preparation, dispensing techniques and regulatory compliance. An example is UVA's pharmacy technician program, which is an ASHP/ACPE accredited program. The program prepares "current and aspiring pharmacy technicians with standardized training that meets state requirements to practice as a pharmacy technician. In addition, this program is to prepare technicians for any state or national certification exam."

• While not explicitly mandated in all cases, obtaining certification from a recognized body like the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) can meet the training requirement. Certified pharmacy technicians (CPhTs) may have expanded roles and higher earning potential.

• All pharmacy technicians must be registered with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy before practicing. The registration process involves submitting proof of training or certification, completing an application and paying a fee. Registration can also involve a background check.

• Virginia mandates that pharmacy technicians complete 0.5 continuing education units annually, equivalent to five hours, to maintain their registration. The education must include training in pharmacy-related topics, with at least one hour focused on law.

Cost of living considerations

RentCafe says the cost of living in Virginia is the same as the national average. Housing is 2% higher than the national average and food and groceries are 0% lower/higher than the rest of the U.S. Here are average costs of living for some of the Virginia cities the BLS lists as paying pharmacy techs the highest salaries:

Virginia city	Cost of living %
Blacksburg	6% lower than the national average
Charlottesville	3% higher than the national average
Roanoke	8% lower than the national average
Richmond	4% lower than the national average
Harrisonburg	6% lower than the national average

Professional associations for VA pharm techs

Pharmacy technicians in Virginia have access to some professional groups and associations that offer networking, advocacy, continuing education and career development opportunities. Membership in these associations can enhance your career through:

• Networking with peers and employers in the region.
• Access to specialized training tailored to Virginia's healthcare environment.
• Advocacy for policies affecting pharmacy technicians in the state.

Here are some state and national options:

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