Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants

Nova Scotia

The employment outlook will be Good for pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (NOC 33103) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants in Nova Scotia: Approximately 1,050 people work in this occupation. Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants mainly work in the following sectors: Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 94%Hospitals (NAICS 622): 5% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 66% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 34% compared to 18% for all occupations63% of pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants work all year, while 37% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 11% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 89% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 36% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 14% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 17% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Prince Edward Island

The employment outlook will be Moderate for pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (NOC 33103) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Demand for workers in this occupation will continue to be driven by the province’s aging population, expanded health-care needs, and increasing reliance on prescription drugs and health services. Recent media reports show that staffing shortages in the province are worsening, with vacancies for pharmacists and technicians projected to increase considerably in the coming years, which may force some community pharmacies to reduce their hours. Most positions are found in pharmacies, retail chains, and long-term care facilities, where assistants play a vital role in maintaining prescription records, inventories, and supporting pharmacists in patient care. With healthcare continuing to expand and pharmacies adapting to new technologies and patient services, the outlook for pharmacy assistants should remain favourable in the coming years.  Here are some key facts about pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 250 people work in this occupation. Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants mainly work in the following sectors: Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): more than 95% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 81% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 19% compared to 16% for all occupations62% of pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants work all year, while 38% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 8% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 92% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: 41% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 11% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 25% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 24% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

New Brunswick

The employment outlook will be Moderate for pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (NOC 33103) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.An increasing and ageing population is expected to drive demand for these positions.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.Strong organizational skills are considered an asset for this occupation.Here are some key facts about pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants in New Brunswick: Approximately 1,000 people work in this occupation. Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants mainly work in the following sectors: Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 93% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 83% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 17% compared to 16% for all occupations74% of pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants work all year, while 26% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 9% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 91% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: 41% compared to 30% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 10% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 35% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 11% compared to 16% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a