Pharmacy Assistant vs. Pharmacy Technician: Choosing the Right Pharmacy Assistant Program in Calgary

Deciding between becoming a pharmacy assistant or a pharmacy technician is one of the most important choices you will make when entering Alberta’s healthcare field. While both roles are essential to a high-functioning pharmacy, they differ significantly in training requirements, daily responsibilities, and earning potential.

In Calgary’s thriving 2025 job market, understanding these distinctions is key to picking the path that matches your career goals.

1. Education and Regulation

The biggest difference lies in how these professionals are trained and governed.

• Pharmacy Assistant: This is an entry-level role that allows you to enter the workforce quickly. Most students choose a pharmacy assistant program in Calgary because it can be completed in as little as 6 to 10 months. These programs focus on practical skills like prescription software, medical terminology, and inventory management.2 Assistants are not regulated by a provincial body, meaning you can start working immediately after graduation.

• Pharmacy Technician: This is a regulated healthcare professional (RPhT).3 To become a technician in Alberta, you must complete a two-year accredited diploma, pass national board exams (PEBC), and register with the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP).4 Because they are regulated, technicians carry their own liability insurance and are held to professional practice standards.5

3. Salary and Career Outlook

Because of the increased responsibility and the longer educational path, pharmacy technicians generally earn a higher wage.8

• Pharmacy Assistant: In Calgary for 2025, assistants can expect to earn between $17 and $22 per hour, with an average annual salary of approximately $43,000.9 It is an excellent choice for those who want a stable, rewarding career without the debt of a multi-year degree.

• Pharmacy Technician: Regulated technicians in Calgary often earn between $27 and $30 per hour, with experienced professionals in hospital settings making upwards of $60,000 per year.10

Which Path is Right for You?

If you are looking for a fast-paced career where you can start working in less than a year, enrolling in a pharmacy assistant program in Calgary is your best bet. It provides the perfect balance of healthcare involvement and administrative work.

However, if you enjoy the technical, clinical side of medicine and don’t mind a longer two-year commitment to school and licensing exams, the technician route offers higher long-term pay.

Would you like me to help you find specific admission requirements for pharmacy assistant courses in Calgary?

Abm College is a leading private career college dedicated to providing practical, career-focused education in Western Canada. With campuses in Calgary and beyond