Pharmacy Technicians vs Surgical Technologists salary

As stated by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly salary for Pharmacy Technicians is $37,970, compared to $53,590 for Surgical Technologists. This shows that the pay for Surgical Technologists is much higher than for 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 Surgical Technologists in California earn 70% more on average than those in Mississippi.

Pharmacy Technicians vs Surgical Technologists overview

Pharmacy Technicians and Surgical Technologists are two important jobs in the Hospitals industry. 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

42% of Pharmacy Technicians hold 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 number of roles (15%) require a previous experience of 1 to 3 months.

Pharmacy Technician average salary

As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the number of Pharmacy Technicians employed in the United States was 436,630, and they earned an average of $37,970 per year. 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 marks an increase of 4.2% in comparison to the previous year.

Do Pharmacy Technicians make good money?

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

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

Pharmacy Technicians job growth

In 2021, there have been 21,320 more Pharmacy Technician roles than the previous year across the nation, and that marks a growth of 5.1%. Over the past 3 years, job growth has averaged 1.5%.

Surgical Technologist job description

Surgical Technologists assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons’ assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

Surgical Technologist education and experience

Of Surgical Technologists, 41% hold an Associate's Degree, 31% have a Post-Secondary Certificate, and 23% hold a College Course Certificate. Regarding experience, 40% of Surgical Technologist jobs require a 6 months to 1 year of experience in the field. A smaller part of jobs (37%) require a previous experience of 1 to 2 years.

Surgical Technologist average salary

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Surgical Technologists employed by the United States in 2021 was 109,060, and they earned a mean annual income of $53,590. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $36,930 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $75,940 or more. The average salary has grown by 4% compared the previous year.

Do Surgical Technologists make good money?

Surgical Technologists salaries are often not as high as those in other fields, as their average salary is 8% lower than the average salary in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they earn about a quarter less than the average pay of the Hospitals industry ($72,260).

Surgical Technologists salaries are often not as high as those in other fields, as their average salary is 8% lower than the average salary in the United States ($58,260).

Surgical Technologists job growth

In 2021, there have been 1,660 more Surgical Technologist roles than the previous year nationwide, which marks a growth of 1.5%. Over the past 3 years, job growth has averaged -0.3%.

FAQ

Do Pharmacy Technicians or Surgical Technologists make more?

Surgical Technologists make 41% more than Pharmacy Technicians. The average annual pay for Pharmacy Technicians is $37,970, while Surgical Technologists earn $53,590 per year.

How long does it take to become a Pharmacy Technician vs Surgical Technologist?

Becoming a Pharmacy Technician generally requires a Post-Secondary Certificate. Completing a Post-Secondary Certificate most often takes between 1 year and 2 years of study. In contrast, becoming a Surgical Technologist generally requires an Associate's Degree. Completing an Associate's Degree most often takes around 2 years of study.

Is it harder to become a Pharmacy Technician vs Surgical Technologist?

Neither occupation is more challenging to attain than the other, as the education length for both of them is roughly the same.