How Much Does a Pharmacy Tech Make In Louisiana

Are you a pharmacy technician in Louisiana looking to earn more? 

You’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we’ll explore the salary range for pharmacy techs in Louisiana, key factors that affect pay, and how to maximize your earning potential. 

Get ready to learn all about becoming a top-earning pharmacy technician in Louisiana.

Pharmacy technicians play an important role in pharmacies, providing support services that enable pharmacists to concentrate on patient care. If you are considering a career as a pharmacy technician in Louisiana, understanding the salary and projected job growth is a smart way to decide if this career is right for you.

The following information will provide an overview of how much pharmacy technicians make in Louisiana, while also outlining other career considerations such as the job growth outlook, licensing and training requirements.

Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in Louisiana

The average salary of pharmacy technicians in Louisiana is $30,361, according to PayScale. This amount may vary depending on experience, certifications and other factors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median hourly wage for pharmacy technicians was $13.80 as of May 2022 in Louisiana.

Pharmacy technicians typically fill prescription orders either under the direct supervision of a pharmacist or by using their own knowledge of medications and doses to prepare medication doses requested by customers according to a written prescription or an oral order from customers over the phone or in person. 

Those who are certified may also verify insurance information, calculate medication dosages and supervise staff and interns. Those working in independent pharmacies typically do in-depth drug research for physicians and pharmacists when needed as well as answer customer questions about health care products and medications they have purchased or plan to purchase at the store.

Louisiana pharmacists need only take a few hours of continuing education every year and complete practical exams administered by the state board of pharmacy, while other certifications may help extend career opportunities such as Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). 

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam which covers various areas such as laws governing medicines, pharmaceutical calculations, inventory management principles, knowledge related to drugs and their interactions with body systems along with general patient safety concepts. The average salary for Pharmacy Technicians with CPhT certification is higher than those without it in Louisiana as per PayScale data.

Factors Affecting Pharmacy Technician Salaries in Louisiana

The salary of a pharmacy technician in Louisiana can be affected by a number of factors, including the location of the job, the experience and qualifications of the technician, and the type and size of facility in which they work. 

On average, pharmacy technicians in Louisiana earn a median salary of $30,140 per year as of May 2012. The top 10 percent earn over $40,500 yearly and the lowest 10 percent earn less than $21,580 annually according to data from Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Location is one main factor influencing salaries because some areas offer higher wages due to cost-of-living considerations. Cost-of-living is generally higher in urban areas than rural ones and therefore wages may be adjusted accordingly. Generally speaking, larger metropolitan areas provide greater salary prospects compared to smaller towns or rural parts of Louisiana.

The type and size of organization is another factor that can determine what is earned by a pharmacy tech working in Louisiana. Large chain pharmacies provide higher salaries than hospital pharmacies or smaller independent drugstores while employers who serve more low-income customers are likely to offer less attractive wages.. 

Different types of pharmacies also vary greatly when it comes to workforce demands—some may require more experienced staff for facilities handling critical prescriptions or for those dealing with complex medical conditions that require specialized attention, such as oncology departments or long-term care facilities.

Experience is always taken into account when evaluating salaries; applicants with longer tenures typically receive better compensation packages compared to new technicians who lack relevant on-the-job experience such as knowledge about software systems used for recording orders and payments or completing insurance paperwork required for prescriptions filled out by a pharmacist’s office. 

Additionally, certain certifications might also play a role in how much money you can make as a pharmaceutical technician depending on employer preferences related to background checks or specialized training modules in related fields such as cosmetology or health sciences studied at an accredited college program.

Benefits of Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Louisiana

A pharmacy technician provides support to a pharmacist and other medical staff by completing tasks such as preparing medications, measuring dosage amounts, labeling bottles, and verifying orders. Becoming a pharmacy technician in Louisiana offers several desirable benefits.

• Salary: According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the annual median salary for pharmacy technicians in Louisiana is $32,250. This salary is higher than the national median of $31,750.
• Location: Louisiana has one of the highest concentrations of employers in this field throughout the United States, providing technicians ample opportunity to pursue work.
• Experience: Many employers are willing to provide on-the-job training for those with little to no experience as a pharmacy technician. Basic knowledge of medical terminology and basic math skills are helpful traits when seeking employment in this field.
• Education: Educational requirements vary greatly from state to state for pharmacy technicians although many schools offer certificate programs that provide the necessary training for employment in this field. Earning an associate degree can often lead to career advancement opportunities and increased salaries than those with only certificate programs or on-the-job training experience.
• Benefits: Most positions offer benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation or sick leave, retirement plans and continued education programs which help employees stay up to date with any new changes within the industry or new technology that was introduced over time.

Conclusion

The salary for a pharmacy technician in Louisiana can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including education, experience and location. However, the average annual salary for a pharmacy technician in Louisiana is around $31,935 according to various sources.

With the right education, experience and training, pharmacy technicians in Louisiana may be able to earn even higher wages. At the same time, if you are interested in pursuing an advanced career as a certified pharmacy technician or pharmacologist, additional education and certification may be necessary to obtain and maintain your employment.