Considering Pharmacy Tech as a long-term career...can I make it?

[PharmBoy90]

So, I'm 27 years old and currently still living at home (unfortunately). I graduated in May 2016 with my BS in Business Management, because I pretty much gave up on my dreams of being a Pharmacist or Physician Assistant as the science courses were too difficult for me.

I have worked in the past for over a year as a Pharmacy Tech at Walgreens and then for 2+ years as a tech at CVS. I know for a fact that with my $70k of student loan debt, that I cannot live off of a Walgreens or CVS Tech salary even if I worked 60 hours per week.

I currently work in auto claims for an insurance company, a job which I started this past July. I make a decent salary considering it's a "trainee" position ($66k per year). However, I HATE the job. Company is great - wonderful people, benefits, there's even a pension. I just can't stand the job itself. I almost miss the stress of working in retail pharmacy.

Anyway, my friend works for an independent retail pharmacy and says she could hire me at $15/hr. This isn't a great salary either, but it's better than Walgreens or CVS. I am seriously thinking of leaving my current job to go back to being a tech, that's just how much I hate it. I've considered going back to school and trying to give being an actual pharmacist one more shot, I just don't know if I can risk the money/time again.

I guess what I'm wondering is, how can I maximize my potential salary as a Pharmacy Tech in the future? Obviously, I will get certified, but are there certain organizations/companies who hired certified techs that actually pay them a livable salary? Or will I be lucky to ever reach $20 hour no matter where I end up?

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[rphola123]

With a BS in buisness management. You should be looking at career paths with higher earning potential. Possibly being a store manager, corporate, etc

 

[lord999]

Depends on life circumstances. There are many people who made being a tech a full career. If you can live with the pittance you are paid as well as never being in control of your work environment, then sure, it's a job for a lifetime. Most don't make it though because they will inevitably have a pharmacist that will give them some sort of hell or you get laid off to cut salary costs and reset you to nothing. But if you have the time and patience, you can improve on your circumstances very easily.

 

[steveysmith54]

" I almost miss the stress of working in retail pharmacy." Haven't heard too many people say that. It's your life, just from a purely financial POV, 15 dollars an hour is 32K a year. Can you and do you wan to live on that? for you to decide.

 

[beautifulrobot]

Have you considered trying to enlist in the Armed Forces? If you don't mind moving around, it seems like a pretty good deal relative to your options in pharmacy technician career paths. Or if you're able to find a union job as a pharmacy technician it might end up not being too bad of a deal.

 

[Momus]

So, I'm 27 years old and currently still living at home (unfortunately). I graduated in May 2016 with my BS in Business Management, because I pretty much gave up on my dreams of being a Pharmacist or Physician Assistant as the science courses were too difficult for me.

I have worked in the past for over a year as a Pharmacy Tech at Walgreens and then for 2+ years as a tech at CVS. I know for a fact that with my $70k of student loan debt, that I cannot live off of a Walgreens or CVS Tech salary even if I worked 60 hours per week.

I currently work in auto claims for an insurance company, a job which I started this past July. I make a decent salary considering it's a "trainee" position ($66k per year). However, I HATE the job. Company is great - wonderful people, benefits, there's even a pension. I just can't stand the job itself. I almost miss the stress of working in retail pharmacy.

Anyway, my friend works for an independent retail pharmacy and says she could hire me at $15/hr. This isn't a great salary either, but it's better than Walgreens or CVS. I am seriously thinking of leaving my current job to go back to being a tech, that's just how much I hate it. I've considered going back to school and trying to give being an actual pharmacist one more shot, I just don't know if I can risk the money/time again.

I guess what I'm wondering is, how can I maximize my potential salary as a Pharmacy Tech in the future? Obviously, I will get certified, but are there certain organizations/companies who hired certified techs that actually pay them a livable salary? Or will I be lucky to ever reach $20 hour no matter where I end up?

Hell no. You move forward in life not backwards.

Keep your job and start interviewing for the new one... If you don't like the job, hop around until your job description changes dramatically, BS in management is a very flexible degree. You can be doing something totally different in a couple months in your new job and still get to keep making 70k/yr

 

[ranger99rx]

If you miss being a tech that much why don't you keep your current job and do part time (on your day off only) as a tech? You should not leave or reduce the hours at the current job. That way you would earn more money and still get the stress of pharmacy life!

 

[owlegrad]

This is beyond bizarre. You want to transition to a dead end, low paying job because you miss the stress of it?

No.

EDIT: Pretty much the only thing you could do as a tech to supplement your income in an appreciable way is to steal controls. I don't recommend it.

 

[ldiot]

Most career technicians have a spouse who is making better money, their income is essentially supplemental. You don't want to be making 30k/year or less for the rest of your life. I think hospital techs make more, but it's still not even worth it considering you are already making 66k/year.

If I were you I'd stay with the parents and try to throw your entire income at the student loans, maybe you could pay it off in 2 years. Come up with a plan then you can reconsider your job opportunities later if you still hate what you are doing. Even if you loved being a tech you can't afford it.

 

[RxPreceptor]

I would suggest running on a treadmill at full speed if you need some stress.
I actually feel good for my techs who leave to better themselves (go to school, finish a degree, find a better job involving less people who are seemingly disgruntled for no apparent reason, etc.). It's an ok transition job, definitely helps build your tolerance and tests your stress handling capabilities

 

[gwarm01]

I'd figure out how to like making 66K a year as a trainee. You'll obviously make 75K+ when not a trainee.... No way in hell would I leave that for 30K a year as a tech

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Definitely this. Try to find something you like about the job, or at the very least use it as a stepping stone to build your resume and find a job you do like.

If its any consolation, I understand being in a rut. Depression can make things seem much worse than they really are. Try not to let that ruin what could otherwise be a great career. You are already making more than the median household income and far more than you'll ever make as a pharmacy technician. I wouldn't even consider throwing that away. You don't have to enjoy or have passion about your job. It is a means to support you and allow you to live your life.

 

[PharmBoy90]

I'd figure out how to like making 66K a year as a trainee. You'll obviously make 75K+ when not a trainee.... No way in hell would I leave that for 30K a year as a tech

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There are a lot of opportunities at my company, I just don't know how long I can hang in there until I can transfer departments or something...you need to be with the company at least a year, but the stress level is so high and I just can't take it anymore (I have issues with anxiety

This is beyond bizarre. You want to transition to a dead end, low paying job because you miss the stress of it?

No.

EDIT: Pretty much the only thing you could do as a tech to supplement your income in an appreciable way is to steal controls. I don't recommend it.

I'm not considering going back to being a tech solely because "I miss the stress". I was saying that I almost miss pharmacy stress compared to the type of stress I feel at my current job.

 

[Saiyo]

You have rose tinted glasses. Being a tech is not that great....
I echo the recommendation to get a PRN job to see what you've been missing out on.

 

[DrVader]

So, I'm 27 years old and currently still living at home (unfortunately). I graduated in May 2016 with my BS in Business Management, because I pretty much gave up on my dreams of being a Pharmacist or Physician Assistant as the science courses were too difficult for me.

I have worked in the past for over a year as a Pharmacy Tech at Walgreens and then for 2+ years as a tech at CVS. I know for a fact that with my $70k of student loan debt, that I cannot live off of a Walgreens or CVS Tech salary even if I worked 60 hours per week.

I currently work in auto claims for an insurance company, a job which I started this past July. I make a decent salary considering it's a "trainee" position ($66k per year). However, I HATE the job. Company is great - wonderful people, benefits, there's even a pension. I just can't stand the job itself. I almost miss the stress of working in retail pharmacy.

Anyway, my friend works for an independent retail pharmacy and says she could hire me at $15/hr. This isn't a great salary either, but it's better than Walgreens or CVS. I am seriously thinking of leaving my current job to go back to being a tech, that's just how much I hate it. I've considered going back to school and trying to give being an actual pharmacist one more shot, I just don't know if I can risk the money/time again.

I guess what I'm wondering is, how can I maximize my potential salary as a Pharmacy Tech in the future? Obviously, I will get certified, but are there certain organizations/companies who hired certified techs that actually pay them a livable salary? Or will I be lucky to ever reach $20 hour no matter where I end up?

Pharmacy tech is a dead end job. It is mainly for people who aren't smart enough for college. Pharmacy techs are often glorified cashiers. There is simply no money in it. The only techs that make really good money are TPN or chemo techs in hospitals. That is because those jobs require lots of skill and experience. They are often far and few between. They make 40k or maybe a bit more each year. If you have a degree than you are beyound unskilled labor.

 

[Lnsean]

So, I'm 27 years old and currently still living at home (unfortunately). I graduated in May 2016 with my BS in Business Management, because I pretty much gave up on my dreams of being a Pharmacist or Physician Assistant as the science courses were too difficult for me.

I have worked in the past for over a year as a Pharmacy Tech at Walgreens and then for 2+ years as a tech at CVS. I know for a fact that with my $70k of student loan debt, that I cannot live off of a Walgreens or CVS Tech salary even if I worked 60 hours per week.

I currently work in auto claims for an insurance company, a job which I started this past July. I make a decent salary considering it's a "trainee" position ($66k per year). However, I HATE the job. Company is great - wonderful people, benefits, there's even a pension. I just can't stand the job itself. I almost miss the stress of working in retail pharmacy.

Anyway, my friend works for an independent retail pharmacy and says she could hire me at $15/hr. This isn't a great salary either, but it's better than Walgreens or CVS. I am seriously thinking of leaving my current job to go back to being a tech, that's just how much I hate it. I've considered going back to school and trying to give being an actual pharmacist one more shot, I just don't know if I can risk the money/time again.

I guess what I'm wondering is, how can I maximize my potential salary as a Pharmacy Tech in the future? Obviously, I will get certified, but are there certain organizations/companies who hired certified techs that actually pay them a livable salary? Or will I be lucky to ever reach $20 hour no matter where I end up?

No. Just no.

 

[Rouelle]

Think long term. Your current job, while it may suck, can be used as a stepping stone to move into other positions in which you actually use your degree. A pharmacy tech position can really only help you either apply to pharmacy school or to apply for other cashier-type positions. In your position, quitting a professional position to become a pharm tech is about as close to professional suicide as you can get short of doing something illegal. You don’t have to like your first grown-up job (many don’t), but you should use it to move forward and not backward.

 

[Modest_anteater]

So, I'm 27 years old and currently still living at home (unfortunately). I graduated in May 2016 with my BS in Business Management, because I pretty much gave up on my dreams of being a Pharmacist or Physician Assistant as the science courses were too difficult for me.

I have worked in the past for over a year as a Pharmacy Tech at Walgreens and then for 2+ years as a tech at CVS. I know for a fact that with my $70k of student loan debt, that I cannot live off of a Walgreens or CVS Tech salary even if I worked 60 hours per week.

I currently work in auto claims for an insurance company, a job which I started this past July. I make a decent salary considering it's a "trainee" position ($66k per year). However, I HATE the job. Company is great - wonderful people, benefits, there's even a pension. I just can't stand the job itself. I almost miss the stress of working in retail pharmacy.

Anyway, my friend works for an independent retail pharmacy and says she could hire me at $15/hr. This isn't a great salary either, but it's better than Walgreens or CVS. I am seriously thinking of leaving my current job to go back to being a tech, that's just how much I hate it. I've considered going back to school and trying to give being an actual pharmacist one more shot, I just don't know if I can risk the money/time again.

I guess what I'm wondering is, how can I maximize my potential salary as a Pharmacy Tech in the future? Obviously, I will get certified, but are there certain organizations/companies who hired certified techs that actually pay them a livable salary? Or will I be lucky to ever reach $20 hour no matter where I end up?

Dude just go back to school to be a pharmacist. It's not like it's your money you are risking. It's the government. You can always do income based repayment. The only way you are going to make serious money as a tech is by buying a pharmacy and hiring a pharmacist to staff it. But you need some serious cash to be able to do that

 

[PharmBoy90]

Aside from pharmacy, working in Healthcare Administration was always something I've been interested in. I just scored an interview with Memorial Sloan-Kettering for an entry-level Healthcare Admin position, but it only pays $45k per year, which is $21k per year less than what I am making now. I'm still living at home, so I can make it on this salary, but I'd really hate to take that big of a pay cut.

At my $66k per year job, I love the people and management. Company culture is great, and there is a pension when I retire in addition to my 401k which not a lot of companies offer anymore. But I just HATE the job itself.

The $45k per year job is more in line with what I want to do, but I'd have to sign a 2-year agreement.

Now the question is, do I work at a job I can't stand (though I love the people) for $66k or do what I really want to do for $45k?

 

[gwarm01]

Now the question is, do I work at a job I can't stand (though I love the people) for $66k or do what I really want to do for $45k?

Be careful with this line of thinking. I've regretted taking a job that paid more and was what I really wanted to do. I would have been on suicide watch had I taken a 30% pay cut.

 

[Jbrl]

Aside from pharmacy, working in Healthcare Administration was always something I've been interested in. I just scored an interview with Memorial Sloan-Kettering for an entry-level Healthcare Admin position, but it only pays $45k per year, which is $21k per year less than what I am making now. I'm still living at home, so I can make it on this salary, but I'd really hate to take that big of a pay cut.

At my $66k per year job, I love the people and management. Company culture is great, and there is a pension when I retire in addition to my 401k which not a lot of companies offer anymore. But I just HATE the job itself.

The $45k per year job is more in line with what I want to do, but I'd have to sign a 2-year agreement.

Now the question is, do I work at a job I can't stand (though I love the people) for $66k or do what I really want to do for $45k?

What you have to figure out is whether you'd actually enjoy Healthcare Admin appreciably over your current job. How do you know you would?

Secondary considerations are the career/salary progression at each place and the culture/people at MSK. Regarding the former, what does it look like to be working for MSK for 2 years vs. the insurance company? E.g. hypothetically if you're stuck with 3% raises for the next 2 years in healthcare admin at that salary cut vs. whatever you'd get at your current line of work, is that OK?

I'd recommend that, if you haven't already, you should speak to people currently in Healthcare Administration, ideally at MSK, to see whether your perception aligns with reality. Don't leave the devil you know for the devil you don't (assuming you get an offer).