Pharmacy Technician Employment & Salary Trends, and Career Opportunities in North Dakota

Overview

North Dakota is home to more than 700 salaried pharmacy technicians. This means, less than one percent of the nation’s 334,400 salaried technicians live in The Peace Garden State. Although North Dakota has one of the smallest populations of pharmacy technicians, the salaried talent pool has grown significantly since 2006. In addition to employment growth, aspiring pharmacy technicians choose North Dakota for:

• The opportunity to work at renowned medical facilities such as Sanford Health-MeritCare Hospital, St. Alexius Medical Center, and Altru Hospital (all high performing in multiple specialties)
• Access to more than 25 other outstanding hospitals and dozens of other top rated medical facilities
• Access to dozens of quality health care and pharmacy technician training programs
• Salaries: North Dakota has experienced an impressive amount of salary growth between 2006 and today

Employment and Salary Trends for North Dakota Pharmacy Technicians

According the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), North Dakota is home to 730 salaried pharmacy technicians. They average $31,900 per year, which is one of the nation’s highest average salaries for pharmacy technicians.  In 2006, North Dakota-based pharmacy technicians averaged $27,050. This means salaries here have increased by a promising $808 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 North Dakota pharmacy technicians can expect a significant amount of employment growth in the coming years. In 2006, the state was home to just 370 pharmacy technicians. This means, the number of salaried pharmacy technicians doubled 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 a notable 32 percent.

Pharmacy Technician Career Opportunities in North Dakota

Pharmacy technicians typically work in hospitals or retail environments, specifically chain pharmacies/health and personal care stores such as CVS, Walgreens, Target and others. While this may be the easiest route to employment, it is not the only one. 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 North Dakota 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
• Gateway Pharmacy
• Heritage Pharmacy
• Kmart Pharmacy
• PharmaCare Pharmacy
• Target Pharmacy
• The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy
• Thrifty Drugs
• Walgreens
• Walmart Pharmacy
• White Drug Pharmacy

Some of North Dakota’s largest hospitals/hospital systems include:

• Altru Hospital
• Carrington Health Center
• Heart of American Medical Center
• Innovis Health
• Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center
• Kindred Hospital
• Medcenter One
• Mercy Hospital
• North Dakota State Hospital
• St. Joseph’s Hospital and Health Center
• St. Luke’s Hospital
• Wishek Community Hospital and Clinics

• Public Health Service Indian Hospital - Quentin N. Burdick Memorial Health Facility
• Sanford Health-MeritCare Hospital
• St. Alexius Medical Center

Schools Offering Pharmacy Technician Training Programs Include: