Pharmacy Technician in New York

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NY

Median Salary
$40,840
New York (2024)
National Median
$43,460
All states
License Fees
$304
Exam + application
Time to Complete
3-12 months
From start to licensed

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.

Pharmacy Technician Requirements in New York

DetailNew York
Licensing BodyNew York State Board of Pharmacy
State License Required Yes
EducationHigh 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
RenewalEvery 3.0 years
NotesLicensure 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

Pharmacy Technician Salary in New York

The median pharmacy technician salary in New York is $40,840 per year, which is 6.0% below the national median of $43,460.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$35,390
25th$36,690
50th (median)$40,840
75th$48,650
90th (experienced)$62,250

New York employs approximately 26,450 pharmacy technicians.

Pharmacy Technician Job Outlook

10-Year Growth
+6.4%
Faster than average
Annual Openings
49
Nationwide per year
Total Employment
490.4
Nationwide

AI Impact on Pharmacy Technicians

Low AI Exposure (Score: 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.

Is Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in New York Worth It?

Factors to consider: New York's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get certified as a pharmacy technician in New York?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Expect to spend 3-12 months from start to finish in New York — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

Explore More