1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Pharmacy assistant

Pharmacy assistant

Alternative titles for this job include Chemist’s assistant, dispensing assistant

Pharmacy assistants serve customers and patients in chemists and hospital dispensaries.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£27,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Pharmacy assistant

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • a trainee position
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course to get some of the skills you'll need as a pharmacy assistant.

You could do a Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Retail Skills. 

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a Pharmacy Services Assistant or Retailer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You might be able to get a trainee pharmacy assistant job in a pharmacy. 

You could work and do a part time qualification like the Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Support Staff.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for pharmacy assistant roles

You might need:

  • experience of customer service
  • good reading, number and IT skills
  • GCSEs or equivalent

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about working as a pharmacy assistant from Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • the ability to read English
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a pharmacy assistant you could:

  • serve customers and give advice about non-prescription items
  • label products, stock shelves and put orders together
  • take calls from GP surgeries, nursing homes and clinics
  • deliver medicines to wards
  • enter medicine data on computer systems

Working environment

You could work at a health centre, at a store or in an NHS or private hospital.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and a recognised qualification, you could become a senior pharmacy assistant, supervisor or manager. 

With further training, you could become a pharmacy technician.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

L2 Pharmacy Assistant Apprentice

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: 19 RIPPLE ROAD, BARKING, ESSEX

L2 Pharmacy Assistant Apprentice

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: Nunhead
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Routes to Retail Skills

  • Provider: SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Penkridge
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.