Pharmacy Technician Schools in South Carolina

South Carolina is a great place to start a career as a pharmacy technician. Several training programs help candidates start their careers on the right path, and there are strong job opportunities for those who are properly trained.

Below, we explore what individuals across the state need to know to start their careers on the right trajectory. This involves analyzing training options, educational pathways, certification and licensing requirements, and more.

Readers will also find a list of top training programs and the state’s average annual salary for pharmacy technicians.

How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in South Carolina

The following framework can help you start a successful career as a pharmacy technician in South Carolina.

Choosing a Training Route

Several community colleges and technical institutions in South Carolina offer comprehensive pharmacy technician programs. Depending on how much they value convenience and how much time they want to spend in training, candidates can choose from several options.

For instance, those who would like to complete their education faster can choose certificate programs that can be completed in a year. Those who want to spend more time in training can pursue 2-year associate degree programs.

After training, they can pursue higher degrees or secure employment immediately.

Work Experience

It is possible to gain work experience as a pharmacy technician without immediately securing a full-time position. This is achieved through internships and externships, which help candidates build real-world confidence before entering the professional world.

This aspect of the journey is so important that most training programs require it.

Certification & Job Placement

It is essential for new pharmacy technicians to become certified to build a successful career with clear opportunities. We outline the requirements to become a certified pharmacy technician in South Carolina below.

Job placement, of course, follows certification. While many pharmacy technicians in the state work in a general capacity, others specialize in retail, community, hospital, long-term care, and other settings.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a medical biller and coder in South Carolina

Licensure & Certification Requirements

South Carolina offers two types of licenses for professional pharmacy technicians. The first is the pharmacy technician license, while the second is the state-certified pharmacy technician license.

Both designations have different responsibilities. The pharmacy technicians are the entry point into the profession.

This requires an application fee and submission of valid documents, including government-issued ID and a high school diploma or GED.

The state-certified pharmacy technician designation is the advanced designation. To qualify, candidates must be registered pharmacy technicians who have completed an approved training program.

They must also pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board examination to become certified pharmacy technicians. The last requirement for the advanced credential is to complete 1,000 hours of pharmacy practice under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

Top Pharmacy Technician Schools in South Carolina

These are the top schools for future pharmacy technicians in South Carolina.

Explore pharmacy technician schools in South Carolina by city:

• Pharmacy technician schools in Charleston

Salary & Career Outlook

In South Carolina, pharmacy technicians earn an average annual salary of $46,634. However, this number applies only to those who have already reached the top-tier bracket.

For those just beginning their careers, it is more common to fall into the bottom tier, with an average annual salary of $27,544, or be among the middle earners at $35,840, according to Indeed. Naturally, the average earners are the most common.

Candidates can focus on their experience level, professional credentials, and location to improve returns. The places in the state with the highest averages are Charleston ($39,091), North Charleston ($38,789), and Columbia ($36,735).