Background:

While the number of pharmacist workforce studies being published is growing, few studies report accurate information concerning the wages, benefits, and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians.

Objective:

To evaluate the wages, benefits, and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians in North Dakota.

Methods:

A mail survey for pharmacy technicians was modified based on the Wage and Benefit Survey for pharmacists used in the Upper Midwest Pharmacists Workforce Study. A list of responsibilities was added to this survey to represent technicians' responsibilities in North Dakota. A survey packet then was mailed to the 456 pharmacy technicians registered in North Dakota. A follow-up postcard and a second survey were mailed to nonrespondents at 4 and 8 weeks, respectively.

Results:

Overall, 256 (56.1%) completed surveys were available for analysis. Pharmacy technicians reported that they worked in a primary employment setting (n = 228) an average of 36.8 hours per week and received an average of 2.3 weeks of vacation. The average hourly rate was $12.34 ($7.00–25.48) and the gross 2004 salary (excluding benefits) was $21,627 ($880–41,600). Hospitals had the highest average hourly pay rate ($12.40), followed by independent ($12.35) and chain ($12.01) pharmacies. Grandfathered technicians (those registered in 1994 when the registration requirement was passed in North Dakota) received the highest average hourly pay rate at $13.11, followed by 1 year, 2 year, and Pharmacist-Assisted Technician Self-Instructional Modules (PATSIM) graduates. The hourly rate for grandfathered pharmacy technicians who have since become certified ($13.30) was highest. Differences between certified and noncertified groups were $0.10 more for 1 year graduates and $0.20 for PATSIM graduates; the difference between grandfathered technicians and 2 year graduates was $0.30. Commonly reported benefits included paid vacation (80%), health insurance for the employee (67%), sick leave (56%), and tax-sheltered plans (54%). Other benefits received were discounts on purchases (61%) and discounts on prescription drugs (54%). Among the most frequently cited distributive functions that technicians perform in their work setting included retrieving products from stock, followed by working with inventory, checking in and putting away medications, filling routine stock supplies, and affixing prescription labels to containers.

Conclusions:

Pharmacy technician wages, benefits, and responsibilities in North Dakota are reflective of levels of training, experience, and certification status. While similar assessments have been conducted on pharmacists in other states, there is a need for similar data on pharmacy technicians.