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You can build a solid career as a pharmacy technician in Illinois.
In order to do so, you must first learn more about the steps you need to take.
So, read below for more information!
Article Table of Contents
Training requirements in Illinois
The first step in becoming a pharmacy tech is getting a high school diploma or a GED.
You have to be at least 18 years old in order to enroll in a training school.
To get the proper training, you can either choose a trade school or get employed and get on the job training.
Some of the job skills you need to possess include:
- Listening abilities
- Organizational skills
- Customer service skills
- Math basics
In this state, there are several programs accredited by the Board that you can check out.
The most popular programs are:
- Malcolm X College: this school is located in Chicago and features a 3-semester pharmacy technician training program
- Midwest Technical Institute provides a program that lasts for 35 weeks, which includes theory and hands-on training.
- The school has branches in Springfield and East Peoria.
- South Suburban College; the program is available in South Holland and Oak Park, and provides full time but also part-time studying options.
- This school also offers an associate’s degree program.
- Penn Foster Career School: this program can be easily attended online for students who have a second job.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Coyne College | 330 North Green Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607-1300 |
| Everest College | 7414 South Cicero Avenue, Bedford Park, Illinois 60629-5819 |
| Everest College | 6880 N Frontage Rd. Suite 400, Burr Ridge, Illinois 60527 |
| Everest College | 1101 West North Avenue, Suite 1, Melrose Park, Illinois 60160-1526 |
| Everest College | 11560 S. Kedzie, Merrionette Park, Illinois 60803 |
| Harold Washington College | 30 E Lake St, Chicago, Illinois 60601-2449 |
| Harry S Truman College | 1145 W Wilson Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60640-6063 |
| Joliet Junior College | 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, Illinois 60431-8938 |
| Kennedy-King College | 6301 S Halsted St, Chicago, Illinois 60621-2709 |
| Lincoln Trail College | 11220 State Hwy 1, Robinson, Illinois 62454 |
| Madison Media Institute | 1130 South Alpine Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108 |
| Malcolm X College | 1900 W Van Buren, Chicago, Illinois 60612-3197 |
| Midwestern Career College | 20 North Wacker Drive Ste 3800, Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
| Midwest Technical Institute | 280 High Point Ln, East Peoria, Illinois 61611 |
| Midwest Technical Institute | 3620 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, Illinois 61265-4421 |
| Midwest Technical Institute | 2731 Farmers Market Road, Springfield, Illinois 62707 |
| Northwestern College | 4829 North Lipps Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60630 |
| Northwestern College | 7725 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, Illinois 60455 |
| Northwestern Institute of Health and Technology | 4641 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60640-4785 |
| Oakton Community College | 1600 E Golf Rd., Des Plaines, Illinois 60016-1268 |
| Olive-Harvey College | 10001 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60628-1696 |
| Rasmussen College | 6000 East State Street, 4th Floor, Rockford, Illinois 61108-2513 |
| Richard J Daley College | 7500 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, Illinois 60652-1299 |
| Richland Community College | One College Pk, Decatur, Illinois 62521-8512 |
| South Suburban College | 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois 60473-1200 |
| Southeastern Illinois College | 3575 College Road, Harrisburg, Illinois 62946 |
| Walgreen Co. | 200 Wilmot Road MS#2194, Deerfield, IL 60015 |
| Wilbur Wright College | 4300 N Narragansett, Chicago, Illinois 60634-1500 |
In Illinois, you can opt for a certification diploma but also for an associate’s degree program.
While the associate’s degree takes around 2 years to finish, it also offers more job opportunities after.
How to get licensed in Illinois
In order to get a license, you will need to send in an application to the Illinois Board of Pharmacy.
The application must include proof of training and adequate skills,
After submission, you will have to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
Another option is the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).
Regardless of which exam you take, your new certification will have to be renewed once at 2 years.
To get it renewed, you will also need to complete some extra education hours.
The average salary for pharmacy technicians in Illinois
Pharmacy techs have many job opportunities in this state, and reports have shown a 12% growth between 2016 to 2026.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians make about $36,001 in a year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $37,158 |
| Aurora | $36,830 |
| Joliet | $36,106 |
| Rockford | $34,701 |
| Naperville | $36,406 |
| Springfield | $32,355 |
| Peoria | $33,859 |
| Elgin | $36,560 |
| Waukegan | $35,042 |
| Champaign | $32,930 |
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.
Where to find a job in Illinois
Once you have the requires training, you can get employed by many types of facilities.
These include nursing homes, clinics, drugstores, and hospitals.
You may be required to work at night and sometimes on the weekends, or perform some work tasks previously done by pharmacists.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician Schools by State