Pharmacy Technicians vs Dental Assistants salary

Based on data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, Pharmacy Technicians make $37,970 annually, while Dental Assistants make $42,510 per year. As a result, Dental Assistants earn a salary that is higher than Pharmacy Technicians.

However, it's worth noting that salaries can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and the specific setting in which the employee works. As an example, Pharmacy Technicians who work in California (with an average salary of $49,990) may earn more than those who work in West Virginia ($32,230). And Dental Assistants in Minnesota earn 58% more on average than those in Louisiana.

Pharmacy Technicians vs Dental Assistants overview

Pharmacy Technicians and Dental Assistants are two important jobs in the Health and Personal Care Stores and Health Care Services industries respectively. Many people are interested in understanding the distinctions between these job titles, including the average earnings for each of them.

Pharmacy Technician job description

Pharmacy Technicians prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

Pharmacy Technician education and experience

Among Pharmacy Technicians, 42% have obtained a Post-Secondary Certificate, 36% hold a High School Diploma, and 15% have a College Course Certificate. When it comes to experience, 39% of Pharmacy Technician occupations do not require any previous experience. A smaller portion of roles (15%) require a previous experience of 1 to 3 months.

Pharmacy Technician average salary

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Pharmacy Technicians employed by the United States in 2021 was 436,630, and they earned an average annual income of $37,970. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $28,740 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $47,580 or more. The average salary has an increase of 4.2% in comparison to the previous year.

Do Pharmacy Technicians make good money?

Pharmacy Technicians salaries are generally not as competitive as those of other professions, since their mean salary is about a third below the average pay in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they make 20% less than the mean salary of the Health and Personal Care Stores industry ($47,490).

Pharmacy Technicians salaries are generally not as competitive as those of other professions, since their mean salary is about a third below the average pay in the United States ($58,260).

Pharmacy Technicians job growth

In 2021, there have been 21,320 more Pharmacy Technician job opportunities than the previous year across the nation, and that shows an increase of 5.1%. Job growth has averaged 1.5% over the past 3 years.

Dental Assistant job description

Dental Assistants perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

Dental Assistant education and experience

Of Dental Assistants, about a half hold a Post-Secondary Certificate, 29% have a High School Diploma, and 17% hold a College Course Certificate. With regard to experience, 27% of Dental Assistant jobs require a 1 to 2 years of work-related experience. A smaller part of jobs (21%) require a previous experience of 3 to 6 months.

Dental Assistant average salary

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Dental Assistants employed by the United States in 2021 was 347,170, and they earned an average of $42,510 per year. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $29,580 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $59,540 or more. The average salary marks an increase of 0.5% compared the previous year.

Do Dental Assistants make good money?

Dental Assistants salaries are often not as high as those in other fields, as their average salary is 27% lower than the average salary in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they earn 40% less than the average pay of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).

Dental Assistants salaries are often not as high as those in other fields, as their average salary is 27% lower than the average salary in the United States ($58,260).

Dental Assistants job growth

In 2021, there have been 35,030 more Dental Assistant roles than the previous year nationwide, which marks a growth of 11.2%. Job growth has averaged 1% for the last 3 years.

FAQ

Do Pharmacy Technicians or Dental Assistants make more?

The average earnings of Dental Assistants are 12% higher than those of Pharmacy Technicians. On average, Pharmacy Technicians make $37,970 per year, while Dental Assistants make $42,510.

How long does it take to become a Pharmacy Technician vs Dental Assistant?

Both Pharmacy Technician and Dental Assistant occupations usually require a Post-Secondary Certificate. A Post-Secondary Certificate most often takes between 1 year and 2 years to complete.

Is it harder to become a Pharmacy Technician vs Dental Assistant?

Neither occupation is more challenging to attain than the other, as they both require the same level of education.