Pharmacy Technician Employment & Salary Trends, and Career Opportunities in Maine

Overview

Maine is home to more than 2,000 salaried pharmacy technicians. This means, less than one percent of the nation’s 334,400 salaried technicians live in The Pine Tree State. Although Maine has one of the smallest populations of pharmacy technicians, it’s still large relative to Maine’s small resident population. Aspiring pharmacy technicians choose Maine for:

• The opportunity to work at renowned medical facilities such as Maine Medical Center, Mercy Hospital of Portland, and Maine General Medical Center (all high performing in multiple specialties)
• Access to more than 20 other outstanding hospitals and dozens of other top rated medical facilities
• Access to dozens of quality health care and pharmacy technician training programs
• Employment: Maine has the nation’s fourth highest concentration of jobs and location quotients for pharmacy technicians

Employment and Salary Trends for Maine Pharmacy Technicians

According the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), Maine is home to 2,050 salaried pharmacy technicians. They average $29,090 per year. In 2006, Maine-based pharmacy technicians averaged $25,160. This means salaries here have increased by $655 each year. Across the nation, pharmacy technicians average around $28,400 per year, with the top ten percent averaging $41,880 and the bottom ten percent earning $20,310 per year.

In addition to salary growth, aspiring Maine pharmacy technicians can expect a fair amount of employment growth in the coming years. In 2006, the state was home to 1,460 pharmacy technicians. This means, the industry here added 590 new jobs between 2006 and today. Overall, the pharmacy technician industry will experience a significant amount of employment growth between now and 2020. The industry expects to add 108,300 new jobs, so employment is expected to grow by an impressive 32 percent.

Pharmacy Technician Career Opportunities in Maine

A large chain pharmacy is a great place to start, but pharmacy technicians do have other options. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities are also available in education, technology (computer systems design firms), scientific and technical consulting services, government departments, clinics, retirement and rehabilitation facilities, grocery stores, department stores, electronic shopping and mail-order houses, and hospitals and outpatient care centers.

The state of Maine has many offerings in these areas, but if you’re interested in starting at a chain pharmacy or hospital, some of the largest (or most recognized) chains in the state include:

• CVS
• Hannaford Food and Drug Pharmacy
• Kmart Pharmacy
• Miller Drug
• Rite Aid
• Shaw’s Osco Pharmacy
• Target Pharmacy
• Walgreens
• Walmart Pharmacy

Some of Maine’s largest hospitals/hospital systems include:

• Central Maine Medical
• Eastern Maine Medical Center
• Maine General Medical Center
• Maine Medical Center
• Mayo Regional Hospital
• Mercy Hospital of Portland
• Parkview Adventist Medical Center
• St. Andrews Hospital and Healthcare Center
• St. Joseph Hospital
• St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center

Schools Offering Pharmacy Technician Training Programs Include: