NOC 32124: Pharmacy technicians
Pharmacy technicians perform technical functions relating to prescriptions including gathering patients' information, product preparation, product distribution and inventory control. They work closely with pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care to clients. Pharmacy technicians are employed in retail and hospital pharmacies, long-term care facilities and by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Pharmacy technicians who are supervisors are included in this unit group.
Official Main Duties for NOC 32124
Select the duties you perform in your actual job. Under IRCC guidelines, you must perform at least 60% of these duties for a successful work permit or PR reference letter.
Your employer reference letter must confirm you performed the main actions described in the duties above. Avoid copying words directly from the NOC description — officers expect natural job descriptions with specific company context.
Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 32124
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Pharmacy technicians is categorized under TEER 2. Occupations in this tier typically require completion of a 2- to 3-year post-secondary diploma, apprenticeship training, or specialized technical certifications.
Express Entry Alignment
Qualifies directly for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry. Work experience must be full-time (or equivalent part-time) and continuous for at least one year.
Target Category Status
Currently evaluated under standard General and CEC invitation rounds, or targeted through provincial in-demand lists such as Ontario (OINP), British Columbia (BC PNP), or Alberta (AAIP).
NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 Transition & Equivalency
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, this occupation was mapped under the following 4-digit code(s). When preparing your Express Entry profile or work reference letters, you must use the new 5-digit code NOC 32124.
3219 continues as 32129 and part split off to emerging items 32124 and 33103
Regional Wages Across Canada
Under Canadian immigration law, an employer hiring you under an LMIA must pay you at least the median wage listed below for your province.
| Province / Territory | Low Wage | Median Wage | High Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (National Average) | $17.5 | $24.83/hr | $34.2 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $18.75/hr | $26.94/hr | $31.85/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $16.5/hr | $21/hr | $32.69/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $17/hr | $25/hr | $30/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $18/hr | $26.94/hr | $31.85/hr |
| Quebec → | $17/hr | $20/hr | $27/hr |
| Ontario → | $18/hr | $26.45/hr | $36.8/hr |
| Manitoba → | $18/hr | $28/hr | $38.82/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $15.5/hr | $25/hr | $36.92/hr |
| Alberta → | $18.5/hr | $26.75/hr | $38.98/hr |
| British Columbia → | $20/hr | $31/hr | $34.18/hr |
| Yukon → | $23.04/hr | $31.16/hr | $38.25/hr |
🏙️Top Metropolitan Cities Wage Rates (ESDC 2025/2026)
Economic Region BenchmarksOfficial ESDC prevailing median wages across major Canadian metropolitan regions. Crucial for LMIA prevailing wage compliance and local job offer evaluations.
Employment Requirements
These are the education, training, and certification standards usually required by Canadian employers for this occupation:
- Pharmacy technicians usually require a two-year pharmacy technician college program or completion of a two- to three-year college program in pharmaceutics and supervised practical training.
- Completion of the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) certification exams is required for pharmacy technicians.
- Registration with a regulatory body is required for pharmacy technicians in all provinces except Quebec.
Official Job Titles for NOC 32124
7 Titles ListedIf your current job title matches any of these official examples, this NOC code is likely the right choice for your Express Entry reference letter:
Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)
Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:
- Pharmacy clerk (See 64100 Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers)View NOC 64100→
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (See 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants)View NOC 33103→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 32124 (Pharmacy technicians)
Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.
Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs
Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 32124, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.