The day-to-day tasks of a pharmacy technician in Minnesota may include processing and filing prescriptions, interacting with customers to ensure comfort, and managing inventory. These professionals are also responsible for quality assurance and other administrative tasks.
To develop these skills and succeed as pharmacy technicians in Minnesota, individuals must prioritize comprehensive education and certification. Below, we outline the key steps they can take to achieve this goal.
We also provide other useful information, such as the best places to study in the state and how much professionals can earn at various career stages.
How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Minnesota
Future Pharmacy technicians in Minnesota can start their careers by following the approach below.
Getting Ready for Training
To prepare for their education and subsequent careers, future pharmacy technicians can review their high school transcripts or GED and complete a background check. They also need a set of professional attributes, such as organizational, planning, and interpersonal skills.
Entry Requirements
Aspiring pharmacy technicians in Minnesota typically need a high school diploma or GED to secure admission into a training program. Even on-the-job training avenues may have these requirements.
In addition to high school credentials, candidates need soft, transferable skills such as attention to detail, interpersonal skills, communication, and organizational skills.
Training Requirements
Minnesota is home to several amazing institutions where candidates can train to become successful pharmacy technicians. Moreover, these institutions are not monotonous.
Some offer comprehensive, 2-year associate degree programs, while others offer faster 1-year certificate programs. Others even enable candidates to learn conveniently through hybrid programs that combine virtual classes with hands-on learning.
We explore suitable options in the next section.
Job Placement
Certification follows training for prospective pharmacy technicians, and job placement follows. Professionals in this field can work as general pharmacy technicians or in specialized roles, including community pharmacy technicians, central pharmacy operations technicians, and hospital pharmacy technicians.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
Minnesota is one of the states that requires candidates to be approved by a state board before they can begin working professionally. The governing body here is the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy.
To register with the board, candidates must have completed training at an approved institution and registered online. They must pay a $60 application fee, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, and be at least 18 years old.
In Minnesota, candidates must also obtain national certification. The recognized credential is the Certified Pharmacy Technician credential issued by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
Top Pharmacy Technician Schools in Minnesota
The following are the most prominent pharmacy technician programs in Minnesota.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Minneapolis, MN Campus Only
Minneapolis Community and Technical College offers a comprehensive pharmacy technician certificate program that blends classroom instruction, laboratory training, and supervised hands-on experience. Students begin with foundational coursework and can transition into real-world pharmacy settings after just one semester, gaining exposure to retail and healthcare environments.
Email: admissions.office@minneapolis.edu
Tuition
$182 per CreditContact
(612) 659-6281
Email in Bio
Saint Paul College
Saint Paul, MN Campus + Online
Saint Paul College offers a well-rounded pharmacy technician program that combines online learning with in-person instruction, creating a flexible yet structured educational experience. The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect current industry practices and delivered in small classes that encourage individualized attention.
Tuition
$6,656 - $17,293 per ProgramContact
(651) 846-1600
sabrina.hemmerling@saintpaul.edu
Minnesota State College Southeast
Online, MN Online Only
Minnesota State College Southeast offers a fully online pharmacy technician training program designed for learners who need maximum flexibility without sacrificing depth or quality. Students can enroll at any time and progress through self-guided coursework at their own pace, building essential pharmacy knowledge and technical skills.
Tuition
$3,295 - $3,390 per ProgramContact
(855) 520-6806
Explore pharmacy technician schools in Minnesota by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
A survey of professionals found that most pharmacy technicians in Minnesota earn an average annual salary of approximately $41,136, according to Indeed. This is the figure for the mid-level earners and is also close to the national average.
Of course, many professionals will also find themselves significantly above or below this number. How much pharmacy techs earn in the state typically depends on factors such as their experience level and location.
Those who perform better will earn an average annual salary of $57,741. Those who are just getting started may earn an annual average salary of $29,307 in the bottom tier.
By location, the top places in the state are Coon Rapids ($48,302), Sauk Rapids ($46,112), and Duluth($45,938).




