Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
Occupation · NOC 2021 33103 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 33103
- TEER
- 3
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 391
- Median wage, Canada
- C$20.00 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 2,951
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About this occupation
Pharmacy technical assistants perform technical tasks related to preparing medications under a pharmacist's supervision. They also assist in filling prescriptions and managing patient files. Pharmacy assistants perform clerical functions and assists pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with drug dispensing tasks. Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants are employed in retail and hospital pharmacies, long-term care facilities and by pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Example job titles
- pharmacy aide
- pharmacy assistant
- pharmacy technical assistant
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Assess prescriptions for completeness
- Enter clients' information and prescription details in databases
- Help pharmacists and other pharmacy staff with preparing, packaging and labelling of pharmaceutical products
- Assist in maintaining inventories of medications and pharmaceutical products
- Compound oral solutions, ointments and creams
- May process medical billing information
- May price and stock items on shelves.
Employment requirements
- Pharmacy technical assistants usually require completion of up to two-years of a Pharmacy Technical Assistance vocational program.
- Pharmacy assistants usually require completion of a Pharmacy Assistant college program, ranging from six to twelve months or completion of secondary school and several months of on-the-job training.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2024 | 252 |
| 2025 | 116 |
| 2026 | 23 |
- Roymick inc.16
- Familiprix inc.4
- ST-JEAN PHARMA 2024 INC4
- 9263-2652 Québec inc.3
- Pharmacie Michel Desjardins Yara Mohareb Inc.3
- Parswami Investments Ltd.3
- 9342-9124 QC INC3
- DULOUP PHARMA INC.3
- Penetang Apothecaries Ltd.3
- Southvan Pharmacy Ltd.3
- 1133921 B.C. LTD3
- Familiprix Nesrine Leboukh3
- 1111708 BC Ltd3
- 0940004 B.C. LTD3
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$16.00 | C$20.00 | C$26.00 |
| Alberta | C$15.05 | C$20.00 | C$25.60 |
| British Columbia | C$17.85 | C$20.00 | C$26.95 |
| Manitoba | C$17.00 | C$22.50 | C$27.62 |
| New Brunswick | C$15.65 | C$19.90 | C$26.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$16.00 | C$19.50 | C$30.00 |
| Nova Scotia | C$16.50 | C$18.00 | C$25.00 |
| Ontario | C$17.60 | C$19.50 | C$26.00 |
| Quebec | C$16.10 | C$21.00 | C$28.00 |
| Saskatchewan | C$15.35 | C$20.00 | C$25.00 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 2,951
- Vacancies advertised
- 3,259
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$19.00
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