Working in a pharmacy, filling prescriptions, and helping patients can be a fun and rewarding career.
In order to become a pharmacy technician in Illinois, there are various steps that need to be followed.
Learn what it takes to get started in this career so that you can decide if it’s the right move for you.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Illinois
The state of Illinois differentiates between being a pharmacy technician and a certified pharmacy technician.
In order to simply become a pharmacy technician where you will be under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, you will need to register with the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.
You will need to be at least 16 years old and have either a high school diploma, GED certificate, or a statement from the school.
If you are seeking a certified designation, you will need to provide proof of completing a pharmacy technician training program, which will be in the form of a certificate of completion or an associate degree.
You will also need to have passed the national certification exam.
5 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Illinois
A variety of different schools are available to provide you with the training and hands-on experience you need to be a successful certified pharmacy technician.
Explore what the schools have to offer in terms of the types of classes and the cost of the training program.
Coyne College
Coyne College, located in Chicago, offers a 42-week diploma training course.
This is one of the more comprehensive programs and will provide you with knowledge of not only pharmaceutical calculations but also how to dispense compound products, pharmacy laws and ethics, and more.
The college also offers job placement assistance.
The cost of the diploma program is approximately $16,000 and includes tuition, registration fee, and technology fees.
Many students are also able to earn scholarships and other financial aid.
Malcolm X College
Malcolm X College is located in Chicago and has been known as a “healthcare hub” due to the multi-million-dollar investment in equipment and the creation of a virtual hospital.
A certificate program is available for a total of 33 credit hours, which takes approximately one year to complete on a full-time basis.
The cost of tuition is approximately $11,520, though many students pay significantly less than that after financial aid and scholarships have been taken into consideration.
South Suburban College
South Suburban College is located in South Holland.
There is a certificate in pharmacy technology that takes a total of 39 credit hours.
Most students will complete this in one year – fall, spring, and summer semesters.
The curriculum will also require you to perform 300 hours of internship where you will work under a licensed pharmacist.
The total cost of the program will be approximately $11,000 for those who are in-state.
This does not include any textbooks that will be required to complete the program.
Southeastern Illinois College
Southeastern Illinois College has been teaching since 1960.
It is known to have one of the most affordable tuition options.
You can earn a certificate in pharmacy technology in just one semester by taking the Pharmacy Technician Preparation, consisting of seven credit hours.
The cost of the program will be approximately $1900 and does not assume that you will be staying on property for room and board fees.
Rend Lake College
There are three locations for Rend Lake College including Mount Vernon, Ina, and Pinckneyville.
You can earn a certificate program in pharmacy technology over the course of 16 weeks.
The classes are offered on campus and will provide various ends-on demonstrations.
You will learn about filling prescriptions, measuring, and managing inventory.
The program has a total cost of $2710, which includes tuition, course fees, and supplies.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Illinois – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Illinois
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Coyne College | 1 N State St # 400, Chicago, IL 60602 |
| Malcolm X College | 1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612 |
| South Suburban College | 15800 State St, South Holland, IL 60473 |
| Southeastern Illinois College | 3575 College Rd, Harrisburg, IL 62946 |
| Rend Lake College | 468 North Ken Gray Pkwy, Ina, IL 62846 |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Illinois
Pharmacy technicians in Illinois can be paid very well, especially when there is more education and experience present.
According to salary.com, the median salary for certified pharmacy technicians in Chicago, Illinois is $39,500 a year.
Additionally, those with added skills may earn within the 90th percentile, earning a salary of around $48,280 a year.
As you explore your career opportunities, you will want to consider the full salary and benefits packages available from the different employers.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in Illinois
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $39,502 |
| Rockford | $36,700 |
| Aurora | $39,200 |
| Naperville | $38,800 |
| Peoria | $36,000 |
| Springfield | $34,400 |
| Joliet | $38,600 |
| Elgin | $38,900 |
| Waukegan | $37,300 |
| Cicero | $39,500 |
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 330 | $38,660 | $18.59 | $46,090 | $31,260 |
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | 230 | $39,540 | $19.01 | $52,300 | $30,140 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 400 | $40,520 | $19.48 | $46,970 | $33,830 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 17,170 | $44,080 | $21.19 | $54,990 | $35,580 |
| Danville, IL | 100 | $40,180 | $19.32 | $52,570 | $32,150 |
| Decatur, IL | 190 | $38,510 | $18.51 | $46,230 | $32,590 |
| Kankakee, IL | 180 | $39,960 | $19.21 | $50,040 | $31,460 |
| Peoria, IL | 630 | $39,810 | $19.14 | $46,510 | $32,610 |
| Rockford, IL | 540 | $41,390 | $19.9 | $49,390 | $35,050 |
| Springfield, IL | 530 | $41,160 | $19.79 | $48,210 | $31,870 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top employers for pharmacy technicians in Illinois?
You will find that there are a number of employers who hire pharmacy technicians across the state of Illinois.
Some of the top companies you will want to consider include Walgreens, Health Mart, Jewel Osco Pharmacy, and The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy.
How often do certifications and licenses need to be renewed?
Pharmacy technicians must renew their registration annually with the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.
Additionally, national certification must be renewed every two years.
Where are the most employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians in Illinois?
It is important that you explore employment opportunities with a variety of employers.
The more populated cities will provide you with more opportunities, including those that are higher paying.
Some cities to consider include Chicago, Naperville, Schaumburg, and Oak Park.
