How To Become A Pharmacy Technician In Massachusetts
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If you are considering a career as a pharmacy technician in Massachusetts, you may wonder about the requirements, job prospects, and where to find the proper training. [Leer en español]
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, including specific data for Massachusetts, such as salary expectations, employment growth, and the best pharmacy technician schools in the state. Whether you’re just starting or looking to advance in this field, this article provides a clear and detailed overview tailored to your needs.
Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, pharmacy technicians must meet specific requirements set by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy. These include:
- Being at least 18 years old
- Having a high school diploma or GED (or being enrolled in a program to obtain one)
- Completing a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program or gaining 500 hours of experience as a pharmacy tech trainee
- Having no drug-related felony convictions
After completing these requirements, you can take a certification exam to become licensed. Massachusetts recognizes the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam and the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) exam.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS IN MASSACHUSETTS
| Programme | City | PTCB credential | ASHP accredited | Federal programme data | Programme hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinsigamond Community College | Worcester | CPhT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Bunker Hill Community College | Charlestown | CPhT, CSPT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Cape Cod Community College | West Barnstable | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Greenfield Community College | Greenfield | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Holyoke Community College | Holyoke | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Massasoit Community College | Brockton | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Middlesex Community College – MA | Bedford | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Gardner | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| North Shore Community College – Danvers | Danvers | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Northern Essex Community College | Haverhill | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Quincy College | Quincy | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Roxbury Community College | Roxbury Crossing | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Advanced eClinical Training Inc. | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Beth Israel Lahey Health Pharmacy System Wide Technician Training Program | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Boston Medical Center – Pharmacy Technician Training Program | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Jewish Vocational Service – Boston | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Keefe Regional Technical School | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Massachusetts General Hospital – Pharmacy Technician Training | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Sevita Health – Pharmacy Technician Training Program | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Shields Health Solutions – Pharmacy Technician Training Program | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Thryv Consulting Inc | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| WPS Night Life | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Westover Job Corps Center – Chicopee | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Worcester State University | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
To become a pharmacy tech in Massachusetts, you must have passed either a Board-approved examination offered by an employer or a Massachusetts Board-approved exam that will include either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) national certification exam or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
Several pharmacy technician schools in Massachusetts offer training programs to help you meet the state’s licensing requirements. Here are some notable options:
- Health Care Training Services (Fall River): Offers a 42-hour course that prepares students for roles in retail and institutional pharmacies.
- Bunker Hill Community College (Boston) offers a 16-credit program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience in a pharmacy setting.
- Massasoit Community College (Brockton/Canton): Features a 120-hour certificate program covering pharmacy operations fundamentals.
These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to succeed as pharmacy technicians.
Pharmacy Technician Salary and Job Outlook in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is a great place to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician, with strong employment growth and competitive wages.
The median pharmacy technician in Massachusetts earns $46,470 a year (May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn between $39,050 and $59,580; the lowest tenth earn under $37,980 and the top tenth above $71,070. Massachusetts employs about 10,150 pharmacy technicians.
What that is worth where you live. Prices in Massachusetts run at 105.8% of the national average (2024, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities), so $46,470 here buys what $43,940 would buy in an average-cost part of the country. Measured that way Massachusetts ranks 39 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 Massachusetts is projected to grow 4% between 2024 and 2034, from about 11,940 jobs to 12,460 (Projections Central state projections). That is roughly 1,160 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 Massachusetts is growing more slowly than the country as a whole.
For more details on salary data in Massachusetts, check out this wage data. For employment trends, see this employment trends data.
Finding Work as a Pharmacy Technician in Massachusetts
Pharmacy technicians have the flexibility to work in a wide range of settings, including:
- Retail pharmacies (such as CVS, Walgreens, and other chains)
- Hospitals and healthcare institutions
- Long-term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living centers)
- Compounding pharmacies
- Mail-order or online pharmacies
Major metropolitan areas like Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, and Cambridge offer the highest concentrations of job opportunities. However, the growing demand for healthcare services ensures that even rural areas of Massachusetts need qualified pharmacy technicians.
FAQS
What are the top pharmacy technician schools in Massachusetts?
Some top schools include Quinsigamond Community College and Bristol Community College
How do I become a licensed pharmacy technician in Massachusetts?
You must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or GED, complete a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program, and pass a criminal background check. After that, you must pass a certification exam (PTCB or ExCPT).
How much can I expect to earn as a pharmacy technician in Massachusetts?
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College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Pharmacy Technician programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Quinsigamond Community CollegeWorcester, MA(508) 853-2300670 West Boylston StreetAccredited by New England Commission of Higher Education |
Public | $6,2622024-25 | $5,787 to $10,324by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
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.
OUT-OF-STATE OPTIONS
Residents of Massachusetts may also wish to review their options in Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont.