Top Pharmacy Technician Programs in Salt Lake City, UT
Pharmacy technicians are more important than ever as pharmacies gain even more relevance in our communities.
These front-line, customer-facing healthcare professionals play an important role in healthcare around the country, and this is certainly true in the populous of Salt Lake City in the state of Utah.
In Utah, the criteria for becoming a pharmacy technician are stricter than in some other states. To obtain state licensing, which is a legal requirement to work as a pharmacy technician in any setting, pharmacy techs must satisfy a stringent set of requirements, including having official certification from the PTCB or NHA and confirmation of completion of a state-approved pharmacy technician training program.
This means that in order to work as a pharmacy technician, the right education is key.
Pharmacy technician schools not only provide the required education to pass the certification exam of a student's choice, but also to succeed as an entry level pharmacy technician.
Pharmacy Technician Salaries and Employment Outlook in Salt Lake City
As any schooling in the US calls for a significant investment in terms of time and money, understanding what the ROI - in terms of salary and job opportunities - is a must. The pharmacy technician field is a growing one that usually offers good salaries, but how does it stack up in Salt Lake City?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average wage for a pharmacy technician in 2022 was $37,790 annually, or $18.17 hourly.
In comparison, the average wage earned in the entire state of Utah was somewhat higher: $41, 790 annually, or $20.09 hourly. The average pay for pharmacy techs in Salt Lake City was even higher than these estimates, with the BLS indicating that they were paid $20.98 per hour, or $43,650 on average annually.
The job growth outlook is excellent too. A previous estimate from the BLS projected job growth of 5% for Utah pharmacy technicians between 2018 and 2028, but that figure is almost certainly higher now given the expanded role pharmacies are now taking in general healthcare post pandemic.
How Much Are Pharmacy Technician Programs in Salt Lake City?
The cost of tuition varies and depends on the type of program (certificate or diploma), duration and how it's delivered (online, hybrid, on-campus) and whether it's part-time or full-time.
Fees can range between $1,400 - $3,900 for the institutions listed below.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Salt Lake City, UT
As the demand for pharmacy tech education grows in Salt Lake City, so does the number of schools and educational institutions offering it.
While ensuring that the program you choose is PTCB/NHA approved and offers a good mix of classroom instruction and lab work is very important, so is making a choice that suits both your lifestyle and your educational budget.
With all this in mind, here is a closer look at the top pharmacy technician programs in Salt Lake City you can choose from.
Address: 550 E 300 S,
Kaysville, UT 84037
Phone: (801) 593-2500
Davis Technical College offers a wide range of vocationally focused certificate programs at their campus, including a 10-month Pharmacy Technician Certificate program that is both PTCB approved and accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), a seal of approval only granted to a limited number of such programs.
This limited admission program offers a comprehensive overview of the skills and knowledge needed to pass the PTCE certification exam and prepare to work as an entry level tech via a balanced mix of classroom learning and practical lab work. Students must commit to 18 hours of study a week with classes offered in the day.
The cost of the program is charged on a flat fee basis and can be found on their website. Financial aid is available to those who qualify, as are a limited number of state workforce grants.
Admission to the program is competitive, and requires students to both meet state licensing standards and the school's own educational requirements. Students are also asked to complete an admissions essay detailing their hopes for their future career
Address: 2301 Ashton Blvd,
Lehi, UT 84043
Phone: (801) 753-6282
Mountainland Applied Technical College offers an intensive four-month Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program designed to assist adult students get a jump-start on their new career as quickly as possible while still gaining the knowledge and experience required to pass the PTCE and obtain licensing from the state.
The campus based program, which is PTCB approved and ASHP accredited, offers students the chance to complete extensive lab work to gain practical experience as well as working field trips to a number of real life pharmacies in the area. Towards the end of the program, students are then specifically prepped to sit their certification exam.
Classes are offered both in the day and during evening hours, a plus for those currently employed. To be admitted, students must meet all Utah licensing requirements as well as general education requirements set by the school. They must also complete both an admissions interview and an admissions essay.
Traditional financial aid is not available to cover the cost of tuition, but many adult students qualify for a workforce grant from the state to cover their costs. Creditworthy students can also consider taking a private student loan from a lender like Sallie Mae.
Address: 4600 Redwood Rd,
Salt Lake City, UT 84123
Phone: (801) 957-4111
The full time, three semester Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program offered by Salt Lake Community College via their West Jordan campus offers students an in-depth education that is geared towards employment in a clinical pharmacy setting, with an additional focus on lab work being a feature that sets it apart.
The program, which is both PTCB approved and ASHP accredited, also offers all the knowledge needed to pass the PTCE and specific test prep is offered throughout. Classes are offered on a full time, daytime basis and are geared both towards recent high school graduates and working adults. Students are also required to complete a short externship prior to graduation, but the school strives to accommodate their schedule when they do so.
As a limited admission program, students must meet both Utah licensing standards and complete prerequisite college level courses in English and Math in order to be accepted, as well as pass an admission interview and essay process. The cost of the program is charged on a sliding scale per credit basis, and final costs are discussed during the admissions process. The lowest rates are charged to local residents, and financial aid is available to those who qualify.
Address: 200 Washington Blvd,
Ogden, UT 84404
Phone: (801) 627-8300
Ogden-Weber Technical College offers a hybrid learning experience to those taking their 11-month Pharmacy Technician Certificate course, with much of the written classroom learning offered online and lab based practical classes taken on campus during daytime or evening sessions.
The program is PTCB approved and ASHP accredited, and is open to those who can meet both state licensing requirements and the basic educational standards for general admission set by the school. Although much of their work is completed online, including PTCE prep, an externship must be completed in person prior to graduation. While 11 months is the usual time to completion for most students, some graduate faster by completing the online portion of the course faster.
Tuition is charged on a flat fee basis to Utah residents and is posted on their website. Traditional financial aid is not available to adult students, but many qualify for a state workforce grant that covers their costs. In addition, students can consider taking a private student loan from a lender like Sallie Mae.
Via their Continuing Education & Community Engagement division, the University of Utah offers an online only Pharmacy Technician program to adult students who meet state licensing standards.
The program is a 520-hour offering that students can complete at their own pace. Initially, coursework and materials are available for 12 months, but if needed that period can be extended - with the school' approval - to 16 months. In lieu of 'real world' lab experience, students work in an innovative 3D virtual lab setting and those interested in completing an internship with a local retail pharmacy can apply to do so via a partnership between the school and either CVS or Walgreens.
Traditional financial aid is not available, but many adult students qualify for state workforce grants that cover most of their costs. They may also consider taking a private student loan to cover their costs.
Featured Image: via flickr/kenlund