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Pharmacy Technician in Arkansas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Arkansas employs 4,560 pharmacy technicians, with a statewide median of $38,680 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arkansas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pharmacy technicians Earn in Arkansas (May 2025)

Arkansas median pay: $38,680 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $33,400
Experienced (75th percentile): $45,470
Top earners (90th percentile): $48,620
Employed in Arkansas: 4,560
U.S. median (for comparison): $40,300 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for pharmacy technicians in major Arkansas markets:

Memphis: $45,260 (2,090 employed)
Fayetteville: $44,320 (810 employed)
Little Rock: $38,860 (1,370 employed)
Fort Smith: $38,770 (310 employed)
Jonesboro: $38,240 (260 employed)
Texarkana: $38,190 (200 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Arkansas

Prices in Arkansas run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 86.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $38,680 median stretches to roughly $44,511 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Arkansas (2024–2034)

Arkansas is projected to grow pharmacy technicians employment +11.1%, faster than the +6.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 500 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Arkansas License and Certification Requirements

Registered Pharmacy Technician — regulated by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy.

Have a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Register as a pharmacy technician with the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy.
Most employers expect national certification (PTCB or NHA) and a training program.

Official requirements: Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy →

Training in Arkansas

Retail and hospital pharmacy both hire. Earning the PTCB cert raises pay and opens hospital/specialty roles.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arkansas include:

Arkansas State University-Beebe — Certificate
Arkansas Tech University — Certificate
Baptist Health College Little Rock — Certificate
Black River Technical College — Certificate

Where Pharmacy technicians Work in Arkansas

Real Arkansas hospitals that employ pharmacy technicians include:

VA Hosp — North Little Rock
Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock — Little Rock
Chi St Vincent Infirmary — Little Rock
Unity Health White County Medical Center — Searcy
Baptist Health - Fort Smith — Fort Smith
VA Hosp — Little Rock

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want healthcare entry with a short training path and are comfortable with detail-oriented, fast-paced counter work.

Think twice if: Standing for long shifts, retail pharmacy pace, and a pay ceiling that's hard to break without becoming a pharmacist sound limiting.

Why it's resilient: Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with dispensing, patient counseling support, and insurance processing — roles requiring physical presence and human judgment.

First Steps

Check your state's licensing requirements — some allow on-the-job training, others require a formal program and the PTCE or ExCPT certification exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do pharmacy technicians make in Arkansas?

The median wage for pharmacy technicians in Arkansas is $38,680 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $33,400, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $48,620. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Pharmacy Technician in Arkansas?

Registered Pharmacy Technician, overseen by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy. Have a high-school diploma or equivalent.

Is being a Pharmacy Technician a good career in Arkansas?

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with dispensing, patient counseling support, and insurance processing — roles requiring physical presence and human judgment.

Which Arkansas metros pay pharmacy technicians the most?

Among Arkansas metro areas, Memphis leads at $45,260, followed by Fayetteville ($44,320), Little Rock ($38,860). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Pharmacy Technician in Arkansas?

Real Arkansas options include Arkansas State University-Beebe, Arkansas Tech University, Baptist Health College Little Rock. Most pharmacy technicians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pharmacy Technician a growing career in Arkansas?

Arkansas projects pharmacy technicians employment to change +11.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 500 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Arkansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2052. Licensing summary compiled from the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Arkansas wages · Arkansas licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.