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Dispensary Technician, Pharmacy Technologist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Pharmacy technicians perform all aspects of drug distribution under the direction of a pharmacist. In general, they:
They may also:
Pharmacy technicians may have a range of other responsibilities depending on their work location.
In community pharmacies, they may:
In hospitals, pharmacy technicians may:
Pharmacy technicians often work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Some hospital settings require night shifts. Because conditions are at times stressful, the work is demanding. Ensuring patient safety requires both accuracy and efficiency.
Pharmacy technicians are on their feet for long stretches. They may have to lift and move heavy objects.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Pharmacy technicians
2023 OaSIS: 32124.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Pharmacy technicians need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 106 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 05, 2025 and Dec 06, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Enter client information in databases | 68 |
|---|---|
| Attention to detail | 64 |
| Tasks: Ensure the information on prescriptions is accurate | 58 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 57 |
| Tasks: Maintain inventories of medications and prescription records of pharmaceutical products | 56 |
| Tasks: Prepare medications for clients | 56 |
| Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years | 53 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 50 |
| Tasks: Maintain prescription records | 49 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 48 |
The minimum education requirement for pharmacy technicians is a diploma from a program accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP). Prospective pharmacy technicians should check the CCAPP website to ensure the program they intend to take is accredited.
Pharmacy technicians must also stay up to date with new products and practices. Continuing education is an annual requirement by the Alberta College of Pharmacy for registration.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Pharmacy technicians work under the direction of pharmacists to promote safe and effective drug distribution. They may gather and store prescription and patient information, repackage products, compound and dispense drugs, manage inventory, or teach the practice of pharmacy technicians.
Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) is mandatory. Only regulated members may provide the restricted activities specified in the Regulations. This includes those who:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Pharmacy Technician.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most pharmacy technicians work in community pharmacies, hospitals, or long-term care facilities. They can also work for:
Depending on the nature of the organization, pharmacy technicians may advance to supervisory positions.
There are about 1,960 practising pharmacy technicians in the province (Source: Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP), 2023 estimate).
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)
2016 NOC: 3219
94.6% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years. In addition, the number of pharmacies opening in Alberta is increasing at a higher rate per capita than the number of new pharmacy technicians. This has resulted in a shortage of pharmacy technicians (Source: ACP, 2022-23 Annual Report).
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $23.00 | $30.52 | $28.95 | $30.52 |
| Overall | $27.50 | $36.99 | $33.91 | $36.99 |
| Top | $29.00 | $38.22 | $36.22 | $38.22 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $59,588 |
|---|---|
| Retail Trade | $52,266 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $64,602 |
| Public Administration | $67,905 |
Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) website: abpharmacy.ca
ACP’s Understanding Professionalism website: understandingprofessionalism.com
Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) website: ccapp.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: hsaa.ca
Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) website: pebc.ca
Pharmacy Technician Society of Alberta (PTSA) website: ptsa.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
