Occupation · SOC 31-9095
Pharmacy Aides
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.
Median wage
$37,000
$29,360–$58,660
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
-10
per year
Employed (US)
41,100
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
2 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingService OrientationSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingCoordinationActive LearningWritingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementMathematicsLearning StrategiesPersuasionSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesInstructingSystems EvaluationOperations MonitoringNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesTroubleshootingOperation and ControlManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignScienceProgrammingOperations AnalysisEquipment MaintenanceEquipment SelectionRepairingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageAdministrativeSales and MarketingLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementMathematicsMedicine and DentistryPublic Safety and SecurityComputers and ElectronicsEconomics and AccountingCommunications and MediaTelecommunicationsEducation and TrainingProduction and ProcessingMechanicalPsychologyTherapy and CounselingChemistryGeographyPhilosophy and TheologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesForeign LanguageBiologyTransportationSociology and AnthropologyPhysicsDesignBuilding and ConstructionEngineering and TechnologyHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Database softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordSpreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGetting InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleAssisting and Caring for OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationTraining and Teaching OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesSelling or Influencing OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationHandling and Moving ObjectsThinking CreativelyProcessing InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationPerforming General Physical ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Customer greetings and merchandise location — provide under direct supervisor guidance in a retail pharmacy setting.Prescription intake forms — gather basic patient information following established protocols at the pharmacy counter.Cash register operations — process cash and credit transactions with supervisor oversight during standard pharmacy hours.Incoming telephone inquiries — answer using approved scripts and refer callers to the pharmacist when questions exceed scope.Pharmaceutical supply shipments — unpack, sort, and count incoming items following written instructions in the pharmacy stockroom.Medication labels and package markings — read and recognize basic information under pharmacist direction during receiving tasks.Shelf restocking procedures — replenish over-the-counter items following planogram guides with direct supervision.Work area and equipment surfaces — clean and maintain according to posted sanitation schedules in the pharmacy workspace.Inventory location records — enter basic stock data into pharmacy database software with step-by-step guidance.Refrigerated and special-handling items — identify and separate during merchandise sorting under direct pharmacist or supervisor direction.
developing
Customer service interactions — assist and direct customers independently across the retail pharmacy floor with routine product questions.Prescription intake processing — gather, verify, and enter patient and insurance information into the pharmacy system with minimal oversight.Cash and credit sales transactions — operate the register accurately and resolve common discrepancies during busy pharmacy shifts.Telephone call management — screen, respond to general inquiries, and route clinical questions to the pharmacist efficiently.Pharmaceutical inventory levels — monitor stock, flag low quantities, and notify the pharmacist using inventory tracking software.Incoming merchandise workflow — unpack, sort, label, and route items requiring refrigeration or special handling to correct storage areas.Shelf and storage area replenishment — restock and rotate products following FIFO principles in the pharmacy retail section.Out-of-date medication checks — conduct routine expiration reviews and segregate expired stock for pharmacist disposition.Pharmacy equipment and work areas — clean and maintain consistently according to departmental hygiene and safety standards.Spreadsheet and office suite software — record inventory counts and generate basic stock reports in support of pharmacy operations.
proficient
Customer needs assessment — interpret and respond to complex or sensitive customer requests independently across all areas of the retail pharmacy.Prescription intake accuracy — review gathered information for completeness and flag discrepancies to the pharmacist before processing proceeds.Multi-tender transaction processing — manage high-volume cash, credit, and insurance copay transactions accurately during peak pharmacy periods.Telephone triage and escalation — evaluate caller needs, resolve non-clinical questions, and escalate appropriately using sound professional judgment.Full inventory cycle management — receive, store, count, reconcile, and report pharmaceutical supplies using database and spreadsheet software.Special-handling merchandise compliance — ensure refrigerated, controlled, and hazardous items are processed and stored according to regulatory requirements.Inventory shortage and overstock situations — identify root causes and coordinate corrective restocking actions with pharmacy management.Cross-functional coordination — align stocking, cleaning, and customer service tasks to support uninterrupted pharmacy workflow without direct supervision.Expiration and quality control monitoring — implement a systematic schedule for reviewing all product categories and document findings for pharmacist review.Pharmacy aide onboarding support — demonstrate correct procedures and software tools to newly hired staff during day-to-day operations.
advanced
Pharmacy aide team performance — guide, coach, and evaluate team members to uphold accuracy, compliance, and customer service standards across all shifts.Operational workflow design — develop and refine front-end and stockroom procedures that improve efficiency and reduce error rates in the pharmacy environment.Inventory control strategy — establish reorder thresholds, oversee cycle counts, and leverage database software to minimize stockouts and waste.Customer service quality standards — set service expectations, model best practices, and address escalated customer concerns at the supervisory level.Regulatory and safety compliance leadership — ensure all receiving, storage, and handling procedures meet state, federal, and accreditation requirements continuously.Technology adoption and training — evaluate new pharmacy software tools and lead staff training to ensure consistent, accurate system use.Cross-departmental communication — coordinate with pharmacists, purchasing, and management to align aide activities with broader pharmacy operational goals.Performance metrics and reporting — track key indicators such as inventory accuracy and transaction throughput, reporting findings to pharmacy leadership.Policy and procedure development — draft and update standard operating procedures for front-end pharmacy aide functions based on observed gaps and best practices.Organizational culture and integrity — model and reinforce dependability, attention to detail, and ethical conduct as cornerstones of the pharmacy aide role.
Also known as
19 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Certified Pharmacist AssistantDispensary AttendantDrug ClerkDrug PurchaserFront Counter ClerkPharmaceutical AssistantPharmacist AidePharmacist AssistantPharmacist HelperPharmacist's AidePharmacy Administrator (Pharmacy Admin)Pharmacy AidePharmacy AncillaryPharmacy AssistantPharmacy CashierPharmacy ClerkPharmacy HelperPharmacy InternPrescription Clerk