BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN ARIZONA
Becoming a pharmacy technician in Arizona could be a rewarding career if you’re interested in working directly with pharmacists to prepare medications by mixing, counting, labeling, and recording dosages.
The demand for pharmacy technicians is rising in Arizona, making it a promising place to begin your journey in this healthcare field. Based on the latest data available, this guide will take you through the essential information on requirements, training, and career outlook for Arizona pharmacy technicians.
Why Choose a Pharmacy Technician Career in Arizona?
In Arizona, pharmacy technicians enjoy a strong job market and competitive wages. The state’s healthcare industry is expanding rapidly, driven by the needs of an aging population. Employment projections show continued growth in the field, with pharmacy technicians playing a key role in supporting pharmacists and improving patient care. [Leer en español]
You can review Arizona’s latest employment and wage data here and here.
Top Pharmacy Technician Schools in Arizona
| Programme | City | PTCB credential | ASHP accredited | Federal programme data | Programme hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona College – Glendale | Glendale | CPhT, CSPT | Yes | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Arizona College – Mesa | Mesa | CPhT, CSPT | Yes | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Brookline College Phoenix | Phoenix | CPhT, CSPT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Carrington College – Mesa | Mesa | CPhT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Carrington College – Tucson | Tucson | CPhT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Central Arizona College | Coolidge | CPhT, CSPT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| East Valley Institute of Technology | Mesa | CPhT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Eastern Arizona College | Thatcher | CPhT | Yes | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Northland Pioneer College – Winslow | Holbrook | CPhT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Pima Community College | Tucson | CPhT | Candidate | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Pima Medical Institute – Mesa | Mesa | CPhT, CSPT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Pima Medical Institute – Tucson | Tucson | CPhT, CSPT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Regional Center for Border Health | Somerton | CSPT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Scottsdale Community College | Scottsdale | CPhT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Western Maricopa Education Center – Adult Education | Glendale | CPhT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Western Maricopa Education Center – Northeast Campus | Glendale | CPhT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Bryan University | Tempe | CPhT | No | 28 graduates in 2023–24 | Not published |
| Estrella Mountain Community College | Avondale | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Phoenix College | Phoenix | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Arizona College of Allied Health | Glendale | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Arizona's Virtual Pharmacy Tech School | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Banner Health Pharmacy Technician Training Program | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Carrington College – Phoenix | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| College of Health Careers | Not published | CPhT, CSPT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Colorado River Union High School District #2 | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Dignity Health – Pharmacy Technician Training Program | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Gateway Community College – Noncredit – Workforce Training Center | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Gateway Community College – Phoenix | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| MOOD BY KIM | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Maricopa Corporate College | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Mariposa Pharmacy: Rio Rico Mariposa Pharmacy – 340B – Pharmacy Technician Training Program | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Phoenix Union High School District Academies at South Mountain | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Pima JTED | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation – Pharmacy Technician Program | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Tucson Unified School District – Sahuaro High School | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
Arizona offers several training options for those pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician. Here are some of the most respected programs from pharmacy technician schools in Arizona:
- Arizona College (Glendale Campus): This 34-week program includes classroom instruction and hands-on training, with an externship for real-world experience.
- Carrington College (Mesa, Phoenix, Tucson Campuses): This program offers a balance of theory and practical application, with options for certificates (completed in less than 9 months) and associate degrees (completed in less than 2 years).
- Pima Medical Institute (Mesa, Tucson Campuses): This 9-month certificate program covers critical skills like prescription preparation, customer service, inventory management, and IV therapy.
Certification Requirements in Arizona
After completing your pharmacy technician training, you will need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCE is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and tests your knowledge of the following:
- Pharmacy laws and regulations
- Medication safety
- Medication storage and inventory control
- Prescription interpretation
Passing the PTCE allows you to apply for a full Pharmacy Technician License in Arizona. You can also apply for a Pharmacy Technician Trainee License while completing your training. Once licensed, you’ll need to renew your certification every two years, completing 20 hours of continuing education, which includes at least 2 hours of pharmacy law.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Pharmacy Technicians in Arizona
The median pharmacy technician in Arizona earns $47,640 a year (May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn between $45,890 and $54,060; the lowest tenth earn under $39,040 and the top tenth above $60,820. Arizona employs about 12,970 pharmacy technicians.
What that is worth where you live. Prices in Arizona run at 100.7% of the national average (2024, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities), so $47,640 here buys what $47,320 would buy in an average-cost part of the country. Measured that way Arizona ranks 22 of 51 states for pharmacy technician pay, which is lower than its headline wage suggests because living costs are above average.
Pharmacy technician employment in Arizona is projected to grow 19% between 2024 and 2034, from about 11,360 jobs to 13,460 (Projections Central state projections). That is roughly 1,340 openings a year, a figure that counts people leaving the occupation as well as new posts, so it is the better guide to how often jobs come up.
Nationally the occupation is projected to grow 6.4% over the same period (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), so Arizona is growing faster than the country as a whole.
You can more detailed salary information here.
FAQS
What are the best pharmacy technician schools in Arkansas?
- Arkansas State University, Beebe
- Remington College, Little Rock
- Walmart Stores, Bentonville
- Ashworth College, Online
How do you become a pharmacy technician in Arizona?
- Be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Complete a pharmacy technician training program and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
- Apply for certification through the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy.
- Complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years, including 2 hours of pharmacy law.
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Arizona?
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Pharmacy Technician programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Arizona College-GlendaleGlendale, AZ(855) 706-83824425 West Olive Avenue Suite 300306 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools | Private for-profit | $18,8352023-24 | $26,152 to $31,871by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Arizona College-MesaMesa, AZ(855) 706-8382163 N Dobson Rd133 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools | Private for-profit | $18,8352023-24 | $26,230 to $32,204by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Brookline College-TempeTempe, AZ(888) 793-05571140-1150 S. Priest Drive294 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools | Private for-profit | priced per program | not published |
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Brookline College-TucsonTucson, AZ(888) 913-7207300 S. Craycroft Rd Suite 100211 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools | Private for-profit | priced per program | not published |
|
Bryan UniversityTempe, AZ(602) 384-2555350 W Washington St2,108 students, fall 2023 | Private for-profit | $12,1852023-24 | $20,492 to $26,688by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Carrington College-MesaMesa, AZ(480) 734-23781001 West Southern Avenue492 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools | Private for-profit | priced per program | $45,475 to $49,457by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Carrington College-Phoenix NorthPhoenix, AZ(602) 393-59002149 W Dunlap Avenue1,088 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools | Private for-profit | priced per program | not published |
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Carrington College-TucsonTucson, AZ(520) 368-3028201 North Bonita Avenue437 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools | Private for-profit | priced per program | $39,030 to $44,099by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Central Arizona CollegeCoolidge, AZ(520) 494-54448470 N Overfield Rd5,131 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,2502024-25 | $2,321 to $7,223by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
GateWay Community College-Central CityPhoenix, AZ(602) 238-43001245 E Buckeye477 undergraduates, fall 2023 | Public | priced per program | $3,448 to $6,018by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Northland Pioneer CollegeHolbrook, AZ(800) 266-78452251 E. Navajo Blvd.2,825 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,6642024-25 | $8,000 to $12,301by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Pima Community CollegeTucson, AZ(520) 206-45004905C East Broadway Blvd.15,819 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,4422024-25 | $2,256 to $8,872by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Pima Medical Institute-MesaMesa, AZ(480) 644-0267957 S. Dobson Road721 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools | Private for-profit | priced per program | $20,225 to $24,842by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Pima Medical Institute-TucsonTucson, AZ(520) 326-16002121 N Craycroft Road, Bldg 12,744 students, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools | Private for-profit | priced per program | not published |
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Scottsdale Community CollegeScottsdale, AZ(480) 423-60009000 E Chaparral Rd6,875 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,3582024-25 | $12,905 to $19,126by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Western Maricopa Education CenterGlendale, AZ(623) 738-00226997 N Glen Harbor Blvd220 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Council on Occupational Education | Public | priced per program | not published |
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Tuition and fees are from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) for the year shown. Net price is the range of the average net prices each school published for different family incomes, from CareerSpy; it covers first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, so yours may differ. Schools that have closed are not listed. Programs shown without a link were added from federal completions data: the school awarded this program in 2022-23 or 2023-24. We have not yet recorded its own page for the program.
OUT-OF-STATE OPTIONS
See options in the neighboring states of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.