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

Allied healthcare

Hawaii employs 1,540 pharmacy technicians, with a statewide median of $46,760 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Hawaii licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pharmacy technicians Earn in Hawaii (May 2025)

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

What That Pay Is Worth in Hawaii

Prices in Hawaii run about 10% above the national average (cost-of-living index 110.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $46,760 median is worth closer to $42,509 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Hawaii (2024–2034)

Hawaii is projected to hold roughly steady pharmacy technicians employment +0.0%, slower than the +6.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 160 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Hawaii License and Certification Requirements

No state license; PTCB certification employer-preferred — regulated by the Hawaii — no state pharmacy technician license (employer-set requirements).

1. Hawaii does not require a state pharmacy technician license.
2. Complete a training program and earn PTCB national certification (preferred by most employers).
3. Apply to retail or hospital pharmacy employers, who set their own standards.

Official requirements: Hawaii — no state pharmacy technician license (employer-set requirements) →

Training in Hawaii

Hawaii is among the states without a pharmacy-tech license — PTCB certification is what employers look for and raises pay/opens hospital roles.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Hawaii include:

• Hawaii Medical College — Certificate
• Kapiolani Community College — Certificate
• Kauai Community College — Certificate
• University of Hawaii Maui College — Certificate

Where Pharmacy technicians Work in Hawaii

Real Hawaii hospitals that employ pharmacy technicians include:

• US Army Tripler Gen Hosp — Tamc
• The Queens Medical Center — Honolulu
• Kaiser Foundation Hospital — Honolulu
• Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children — Honolulu
• VA Pacific Islands Hcs — Honolulu
• Maui Memorial Medical Center — Wailuku

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

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Hawaii statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2052. Licensing summary compiled from the Hawaii — no state pharmacy technician license (employer-set requirements) (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 Hawaii wages · Hawaii 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.