Best States for Pharmacy Technicians to Start a Home Business
We ranked all 51 states based on licensing requirements, earning potential, LLC costs, and tax burden. Here are the best (and worst) states for pharmacy technicians.
7 states don't require a license · National median: N/A · Updated 2025
▲ Top 5 Best States
Full Ranking: All 51 States
| # | State | License | Fee | Median Wage | LLC Cost | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | No | — | $23.11/hr | $50 | 98 |
| 2 | Hawaii | No | — | $21.82/hr | $51 | 94 |
| 3 | Delaware | No | — | $20.90/hr | $110 | 90 |
| 4 | New York | No | — | $19.63/hr | $200 | 90 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | No | — | $18.06/hr | $125 | 90 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | No | — | $20.97/hr | $130 | 90 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | No | — | $21.96/hr | $99 | 89 |
| 8 | Kentucky | Yes | $25 | $18.09/hr | $40 | 88 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | Yes | $40 | $18.37/hr | $100 | 84 |
| 10 | Mississippi | Yes | $90 | $18.37/hr | $50 | 83 |
| 11 | Missouri | Yes | $78 | $18.27/hr | $50 | 83 |
| 12 | Maine | Yes | $41 | $19.69/hr | $175 | 80 |
| 13 | Minnesota | Yes | $50 | $23.35/hr | $155 | 80 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | Yes | $25 | $18.14/hr | $150 | 80 |
| 15 | Vermont | Yes | $50 | $22.14/hr | $125 | 80 |
| 16 | Georgia | Yes | $100 | $18.46/hr | $100 | 79 |
| 17 | Maryland | Yes | $83 | $20.72/hr | $100 | 79 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | Yes | $100 | $21.78/hr | $100 | 79 |
| 19 | Ohio | Yes | $97 | $18.20/hr | $99 | 79 |
| 20 | Iowa | Yes | $169 | $19.90/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 21 | Michigan | Yes | $264 | $19.25/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 22 | Montana | Yes | $164 | $22.59/hr | $35 | 78 |
| 23 | New Mexico | Yes | $162 | $21.62/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 24 | Alabama | Yes | $104 | $18.12/hr | $200 | 75 |
| 25 | Alaska | Yes | $150 | $24.25/hr | $250 | 75 |
| 26 | Florida | Yes | $105 | $19.06/hr | $125 | 75 |
| 27 | South Carolina | Yes | $56 | $18.73/hr | $110 | 75 |
| 28 | California | Yes | $249 | $23.86/hr | $70 | 74 |
| 29 | Idaho | Yes | $192 | $21.74/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 30 | Indiana | Yes | $192 | $19.24/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 31 | Louisiana | Yes | $281 | $18.61/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 32 | Oregon | Yes | $287 | $24.62/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 33 | Utah | Yes | $212 | $22.48/hr | $54 | 74 |
| 34 | Virginia | Yes | $164 | $20.43/hr | $100 | 74 |
| 35 | Arizona | Yes | $326 | $22.89/hr | $50 | 73 |
| 36 | West Virginia | Yes | $142 | $17.97/hr | $100 | 72 |
| 37 | Arkansas | Yes | $106 | $17.97/hr | $50 | 71 |
| 38 | Connecticut | Yes | $100 | $21.25/hr | $120 | 70 |
| 39 | Illinois | Yes | $157 | $21.45/hr | $150 | 70 |
| 40 | Kansas | Yes | $243 | $18.85/hr | $165 | 70 |
| 41 | Massachusetts | Yes | $150 | $21.46/hr | $500 | 70 |
| 42 | Nebraska | Yes | $154 | $19.91/hr | $110 | 70 |
| 43 | Nevada | Yes | $100 | $22.44/hr | $425 | 70 |
| 44 | New Jersey | Yes | $85 | $18.70/hr | $125 | 70 |
| 45 | North Carolina | Yes | $159 | $19.17/hr | $125 | 70 |
| 46 | North Dakota | Yes | $162 | $22.89/hr | $135 | 70 |
| 47 | South Dakota | Yes | $154 | $21.04/hr | $150 | 70 |
| 48 | Tennessee | Yes | $130 | $18.33/hr | $300 | 70 |
| 49 | Wyoming | Yes | $229 | $22.35/hr | $102 | 70 |
| 50 | Texas | Yes | $212 | $21.12/hr | $300 | 65 |
| 51 | Washington | Yes | $187 | $26.99/hr | $200 | 65 |
▼ 5 Most Challenging States
Washington
Fee: $187$26.99/hr65
Texas
Fee: $212$21.12/hr65
Wyoming
Fee: $229$22.35/hr70
Tennessee
Fee: $130$18.33/hr70
South Dakota
Fee: $154$21.04/hr70
How We Scored Each State
Each state starts with a base score of 50, then we add or subtract points based on:
- No license required: +20 points (biggest single factor — lower barriers to entry)
- License fee: −10 for fees over $500, −5 for over $300, +10 for under $50
- Wages above national median: Up to +15 points for states paying 20%+ above national median
- LLC formation cost: +8 for states under $50, −5 for states over $300
- No sales tax on services: +5 points
Data sources: Institute for Justice License to Work 3 (licensing), BLS OEWS May 2024 (wages), state Secretary of State offices (LLC costs). This ranking reflects factors relevant to home-based operators — commercial location costs, local zoning, and cost of living are not included.
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