Can pharmacy techs work at more than one pharmacy?

With the cost of living on the rise, having a steady income is crucial. But sometimes even regular employment doesn’t cover all of the outgoing expenses you might have—which are often multiplied if you’re living in a city or expensive area. Just like many other professions, pharmacy technicians might be feeling the financial squeeze right now.

But there are also a multitude of other reasons that a pharmacy technician might want to work at more than one pharmacy. Whether it’s gaining experience in different environments or exploring future career options, working as a pharmacy technician can be an exciting path to take. 

Can pharmacy technicians work at more than one pharmacy?

While it might well be possible for techs to take on more than one role, there are several things that may complicate pharmacy technicians working at more than one pharmacy. 

Non-compete agreements

Non-compete agreements often come into play in the pharmacy world. “You typically don’t see pharmacy technicians working for more than one chain pharmacy,” Christina M. Madison, Pharm.D., founder and CEO of The Public Health Pharmacist explains. “Some may have non-compete clauses in their employment agreements.” 

Jenna Spell, Pharm.D., a pharmacist in North Carolina, agrees: “In my experience, large box retailers have some kind of non-compete stipulation for their employees.” Guidelines on non-compete clauses can vary from state to state. If you’re unsure about your own position as a pharmacy technician, it’s important to check local guidelines, as well as any employment contracts you’ve already signed. If your contract doesn’t include a non-compete clause then, theoretically, working at a second pharmacy shouldn’t be a problem. 

Hospital pharmacies

Many chain pharmacies include non-compete clauses in their contracts, but these clauses often only apply to their main rivals. So if you work for a national branded pharmacy, but would like to moonlight at a hospital pharmacy, for instance, this usually won’t cause a problem. “I have seen pharmacy technicians work in both a retail and hospital setting simultaneously,” Dr. Spell confirms.

Where a pharmacy tech works and conflicts of interest are often what’s important to an employer. It’s rare that a non-compete clause would apply to working at both a hospital and a community pharmacy. “The possibility of working in both hospital and community pharmacy is a consideration,” Dr. Madison explains. “Some technicians choose to work in long-term care facilities as well.”

Discouragement from employers

In any job, an employer likely hopes that their employees are focused solely on their main place of employment. As a result, you may find that your employer discourages you from working at more than one location at a time. Whether or not this is a policy, or simply a suggestion, is an important distinction to make. Be sure to check your employee handbook to see if it mentions it explicitly.

Why pharmacy techs might want a second job

Despite some workplaces discouraging moonlighting, cost of living increases might be forcing many individuals to work a second job. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that between January 2021 and January 2022, there was a 27% increase in energy prices, and a 7% rise in food prices. Understandably, one salary isn’t always enough to cover a household’s outgoings.

It’s also important to note that, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), pharmacy technicians make an average of $37,970, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.25. While this varies depending on workplace and location, some pharmacy techs have been known to work more than one job to bump up their salary.

Final verdict

Whether or not a pharmacy technician can work at more than one pharmacy at a time seems to come down to two things — whether they’ve signed a contract containing a non-compete clause at their primary place of work, and whether local legislature prohibits doing so. 

While retail pharmacy chains appear to be more likely to include non-compete clauses in the contracts of their employees, independent community pharmacies and hospitals are often less strict. Ultimately, the skill and training required of a pharmacy technician means that finding a job (or two) won’t be difficult. “Qualified pharmacy technicians are in high demand,” Dr. Madison says.

If you can’t work at another pharmacy, you still have options. You could ask your supervisor for more shifts, explore additional certifications that could raise your salary, teach a class for pharmacy technicians at a local college, or even look into positions with pharmacy software companies. With a little creativity, you can find a way to use your skills in a way that lets you earn the income you need.