Become a Pharm Tech in Alaska
Now is a good moment to embark on a new career as a Pharm Tech in the state of Alaska. Here, you can learn about colleges and other training options, salary data, the job outlook and state requirements.
Alaska Offers Good Prospects for Pharmacy Technicians
Alaska has witnessed 20 years of job growth, principally in oil and fishing, but also in healthcare, government, timber and other industries.
Alaska’s employment figures for pharmacy technicians are projected to grow at a rate of 17.9% between 2012 and 2022. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, this compares with 20% growth nationwide for the same 10-year period, principally fueled by the nation’s aging population and increasing demand for prescription medications. [Leer en español]
In the Last Frontier, there were 550 employed technicians in 2012, projected to grow to 650 by 2022, for a net increase of 100 openings.
Salaries in Alaska
Salaries for pharmacy technicians in Alaska vary more than in other states because of the concentration of population centers in certain areas. For example, you could have an annual salary of $43,586 and $43,238 if you were in the 90 percentile earners in Anchorage and Fairbanks respectively, or $39,980 as a mean annual salary for the State as a whole.
According to the Bureau of Statistics, the 10 percentile of pharmacy technicians, which includes newcomers to the field, can expect to earn an hourly wage of $13.28. This rises to an hourly wage of $16.13 for the 25 percentile, and up to $25.36 for the 90 percentile.
Salaries by Metropolitan Area
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 440 | $19.47 | $ 40,500 |
| Fairbanks, AK | 90 | $18.64 | $ 38,770 |
Salary comparison with other Pharmacy related professions in Alaska
| Profession | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacists | 480 | $65.54 | $ 136,320 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 660 | $19.22 | $ 39,980 |
| Pharmacy Aides | 110 | * | * |
State Requirements in Alaska
Applicants must be at least 18, must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and they must be fluent in English. Applications cost $150 ($100 for annual renewals) and must be sent to the Alaska Board of Pharmacy. Applicants must then receive training by their supervising pharmacist with whom they work, and the subsequent tasks they perform must be in line with the training received. In addition, technicians have to complete 10 approved hours of continued education (CE) per annum in order to renew their certification.
Colleges and Training Programs in Alaska
Charter College offers a fast track 10-month course that trains you in customer service, pharmacy laws and ethics, drug distribution systems, preparation of sterile dosage forms and other pharmacist-assistant duties.
The School of Allied Health of the University of Anchorage also has a program that is tailored to meet the requirements of the “Model Curriculum for Pharmacy Technician Training” of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Students who wish to be certified can then sit for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board examination (PTCB).
All School Listings
Anchorage, AK Area
Charter College-Anchorage
2221 E Northern Lights Blvd Ste 120, Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program, Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program
Charter College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are imparted at their Anchorage campus in the city of Anchorage. The college has about 2,191 students in total, with most students on 4-year programs. Charter College-Anchorage is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.* Fees for tuition are about $19,882 per year.
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
The University of Alaska Anchorage’s Certificate-level Pharmacy Technician program is imparted at their campus in the city of Anchorage. This is a full, 4-year public college with 17,363 students, of which 94% are undergraduates. The school has institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.* The cost of tuition for in-state students is about $5,147 and for students from other states in the order of $15,206 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $1,273, depending on the program chosen.
* Accredition status and tuition fees are correct at the time of last update and are sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with college or university prior to application.