If you are thinking of becoming a pharmacy technician (pharmacy tech) in South Carolina (SC) then you will be pleased to learn that employment in the sector is expected to grow by 7% between 2018 and 2028.
There are currently 7,500 pharmacy technicians employed in South Carolina earning an average annual salary of $31,530.
Listed below are some of the top pharmacy tech schools and colleges near you in South Carolina, as well as information on the requirements to become a pharmacy tech there.
Licensing and Certification Requirements in South Carolina
The majority of states regulate the role of pharmacy technicians either through certification or licensing or both.
The requirements to become a pharmacy technician in South Carolina are quite extensive by comparison to most other states. To work as a pharmacy tech in the State you will need to become State-Certified.
The following requirements are necessary to become State-Certified;
As a first step you will need to register with the South Carolina Board of Pharmacy.
- As is a requirement in most states you will need a high school diploma or equivalent.
- You will need to complete an ASHP accredited training program
- And obtain National Certification from eith the PTCB or ExCPT (see below)
- You will also need to have completed 1,000 on the job practice hours.
National Certification Exams
There are two national certifying bodies;
- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB/ PTCE) and
- The National Healthcareer Association Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).
Some states have a preference for one over the other but most states will recognize the PTCB certification.
Since the beginning of 2020, the PTCB requires that candidates have completed a PTCB recognized training program. The NHA requires that you have completed a training program or have 1 year of work experience. Approved training programs for South Carolina for both the PTCB and NHA are listed here.
The PTCB also requires that you have registered with your state licensing board whilst the NHA has no such requirement.
State Board of Pharmacy
Further details about becoming a pharmacy tech in South Carolina can be obtained from the South Carolina State Board of Pharmacy. You can contact them on the details below:
Phone: 803-896-4700
Website: www.scrx.org.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in South Carolina
Top 10 Schools for Pharmacy Tech in South Carolina
Pharmacy technician programs are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists/Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ASHP/ACPE) and also by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
If you wish to become a certified pharmacy technician you will need to graduate from an ASHP accredited pharmacy technician training program. There are 10 such accredited schools and programs in South Carolina.
| School | City | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Aiken Technical College | Ganiteville | ASHP |
| Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter | ASHP |
| Greenville Technical College | Greenville | ASHP |
| Midlands Technical College | West Columbia | ASHP |
| Piedmont Technical College | Greenwood | ASHP |
| Remington College | Columbia | ASHP |
| Southeastern Institute | Charleston | ASHP |
| Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg | ASHP |
| Tri County Technical College | Pendleton | ASHP |
| Trident Technical College | Charleston | ASHP |
Still haven’t found a program to suit your requirements? Search pharmacy tech schools in neighboring states: North Carolina, Georgia
Pharmacy Tech Salary in South Carolina
| Average Salary | $31,530 |
| Above/Below National Average | -3.60% |
| Hourly Wage | $15.16 |
| Bottom 10% / Entry Level | $21,910 |
| Top 10% | $41,950 |
| Number Employed | 7,500 |
The average salary for pharmacy technicians in South Carolina is $31,530 – this is according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2018*.
This equates to an average hourly wage of $15.16 and is 3.6% below the national average salary of $32,700.
*The most recent salary data for 2019/2020 can be found here.
Pharmacy Tech Employment in South Carolina
As our population gets older and rates of chronic disease grow, creating extra demand for medications, it is unsurprising that the need for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians should rise.
The Bureau for Labor Studies (BLS) projects that an additional 31,500 jobs will be created for pharmacy technicians in the 10 year period.
There are currently 7,500 persons employed as pharmacy technicians in South Carolina.
The table below provides a breakdown of salaries and employment of pharmacy techs across the main towns, cities and non-metro areas in South Carolina;
| Metro Area | Average Salary | # Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston | $35,260 | 1,250 |
| Columbia | $32,300 | 1,250 |
| Florence | $27,920 | 460 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin | $32,690 | 1,680 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort | $30,550 | 180 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $31,380 | 580 |
| Spartanburg | $32,130 | 560 |
| Sumter | $30,290 | 180 |
Related Healthcare Programs in South Carolina:
- Medical Assisting Programs
- Dental Assisting Training
- Vet Tech Schools
- Medical Billing and Coding Classes