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

Overview

Idaho is home to more than 1,500 salaried pharmacy technicians. This means, less than one percent of the nation’s 334,400 salaried technicians live in The Gem State. Still, aspiring pharmacy technicians choose Idaho for:

• The opportunity to work at renowned facilities such as St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center (all high performing in multiple specialties)
• Access to more than 20 other outstanding hospitals and dozens of other quality health care facilities
• Access to a large collection of top-rated health care and pharmacy technician training programs

Employment and Salary Trends for Idaho Pharmacy Technicians

According the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), Idaho is home to 1,590 salaried pharmacy technicians. They average $29,870 per year. In 2006, Idaho-based pharmacy technicians averaged $26,250. This means salaries have increased by $600+ each year, between 2006 and today. This also means that Idaho pharmacy technicians earn more than the national average. 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 Idaho pharmacy technicians can expect some amount ofemployment growth in the coming years. In 2006, the state was home to 1,260 pharmacy technicians, so the industry here added 330 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 Idaho

Large chain pharmacies are the top employers for pharmacy technicians, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, aspiring pharmacy technicians can find work in other interesting areas. Computer systems design firms, scientific and technical consulting services, government departments, clinics, grocery stores, department stores, and at electronic shopping, mail-order houses, schools, outpatient care centers, rehabilitation centers, retirement facilities, schools, and hospitals are other options.

The state of Idaho is home to a number of establishments in the areas listed above, but if you’re interested in starting at a pharmacy, the largest (or most recognized) pharmacies in the state include:

• Broulim’s Fresh Foods Health Mart Pharmacy
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy
• Kmart Pharmacy
• Prescription Center
• Ridley’s Family Markets Pharmacy
• Rite Aid
• Sam’s Club Pharmacy
• Savon Pharmacy
• ShopKo Pharmacy
• Smith’s Food & Drug Store
• Target Pharmacy
• The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy
• Walgreens
• Walmart Pharmacy

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

• St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
• St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center,
• St. Joseph Regional Medical Center
• Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center
• Bear Lake Memorial Hospital
• Complex Care Hospital of Idaho
• Intermountain Hospital
• Mercy Medical Center
• Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital
• Weiser Memorial Hospital
• West Valley Medical Center

Schools Offering Pharmacy Technician Training Programs Include: