Main duties
People in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties.
- Assess prescriptions for completeness
- Enter clients' information and prescription details in databases
- Help pharmacists and other pharmacy staff with preparing, packaging and labelling of pharmaceutical products
- Assist in maintaining inventories of medications and pharmaceutical products
- Compound oral solutions, ointments and creams
- May process medical billing information
- May price and stock items on shelves
Employment requirements
- 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
Job titles in NOC 33103
9 job titles are classified in this unit group.
- dispensary assistant
- drugstore dispensing assistant
- drugstore side room attendant
- pharmacy aide
- pharmacy assistant
- pharmacy helper
- pharmacy side room attendant
- pharmacy supply assistant
- pharmacy technical assistant
Wages for NOC 33103 by province
Hourly wages from Job Bank for pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $17.60 | $19.50 | $26.00 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $20.00 | $26.95 |
| Alberta | $15.05 | $20.00 | $25.60 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Manitoba | $17.00 | $22.50 | $27.62 |
| Quebec | $16.10 | $21.00 | $28.00 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $19.90 | $26.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $18.00 | $25.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $19.50 | $30.00 |
| Canada | $16.00 | $20.00 | $26.00 |
Ontario by region
| Region | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | $17.60 | $19.50 | $26.00 |
| Kingston–Pembroke | $17.60 | $20.00 | $27.50 |
| Muskoka–Kawarthas | $17.60 | $19.50 | $26.00 |
| Toronto | $17.60 | $19.50 | $26.00 |
| Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie | $17.60 | $21.63 | $26.00 |
| Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula | $17.60 | $20.50 | $25.00 |
| London | $17.60 | $20.75 | $24.00 |
| Windsor–Sarnia | $17.60 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Stratford–Bruce Peninsula | $17.60 | $19.50 | $26.00 |
| Northeast | $17.60 | $19.50 | $26.00 |
| Northwest | $17.60 | $20.15 | $24.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, reference period 2023-2024, revised November 19, 2025. Some Ontario figures are below the current general minimum wage of $17.95 per hour (since October 1, 2026); employers must pay at least the minimum wage.
Similar occupations classified elsewhere
These occupations look related but belong to a different NOC unit group.
- Pharmacy clerk: NOC 64100, Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers
- Pharmacy technicians: NOC 32124, Pharmacy technicians
Hiring for this occupation in Ontario?
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Questions about NOC 33103
What is NOC 33103?
NOC 33103 is Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants, a unit group in the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0). It belongs to the broad category health occupations and to TEER 3.
What TEER is NOC 33103?
NOC 33103 is TEER 3. TEER 3 generally means: college program under 2 years, apprenticeship under 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training.
What job titles are in NOC 33103?
The unit group includes 9 job titles, for example pharmacy aide, pharmacy assistant, pharmacy technical assistant.
How much do pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants earn in Canada?
Job Bank reports a national median of $20.00 per hour for pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants, and $19.50 in Ontario. The highest provincial median is in Manitoba at $22.50 (reference period 2023-2024).
Which occupations are similar to NOC 33103?
Related occupations classified in other unit groups include pharmacy clerk (NOC 64100); pharmacy technicians (NOC 32124).
Last updated October 2026. Sources:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0, Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada
- Job Bank wages
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