Healthcare Support
Pharmacy Aides
Also called: Certified Pharmacist Assistant, Front Counter Clerk, Pharmacist Assistant, Pharmacy Ancillary
US median pay
$37,680
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-0.7%
declining
Openings a year (US)
5,100
39,200 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform the supervisor of stock needs. May operate cash register and accept prescriptions for filling.
What they do day to day
- Process medical insurance claims, posting bill amounts and calculating copayments.
- Answer telephone inquiries, referring callers to pharmacist when necessary.
- Prepare prescription labels by typing or operating a computer and printer.
- Operate cash register to process cash or credit sales.
- Prepare, maintain, and record records of inventories, receipts, purchases, or deliveries, using a variety of computer screen formats.
- Receive, store, and inventory pharmaceutical supplies or medications, check for out-of-date medications, and notify pharmacist when inventory levels are low.
- Accept prescriptions for filling, gathering and processing necessary information.
- Maintain and clean equipment, work areas, or shelves.
- Calculate anticipated drug usage for a prescribed period.
- Perform clerical tasks, such as filing, compiling and maintaining prescription records, or composing letters.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Service Orientation3.4/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.8/5
- Time Management2.6/5
- Persuasion2.2/5
- Systems Analysis2.1/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.8/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Administrative3.1/5
- Sales and Marketing3.0/5
- Law and Government2.9/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma61%
- Post-secondary certificate18%
- Less than high school15%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.