Leaving Your Current Job for Pharmacy Tech Training: Financial Planning

The job market is definitely changing in the US, and a growing number of people are considering switching to allied healthcare with trade schools. But where some people try to train along with their existing role, some prefer quitting the role to train full-time.

So, if you are thinking about walking away from your current job so you can train as a pharmacy technician, just know it won’t be easy. Because, emotionally, you might already be there. Financially… that’s usually where the panic starts, and you can end up thinking negatively, like:

• “How will I pay my bills if I’m in school?”
• “Can I do this without drowning in debt?”
• “What if I quit and then can’t find a job?”

But not to worry, as this guide will walk you through the money side of the decision step by step, so you can decide when and how to leave your current job.

Is Pharmacy Tech Actually a Smart Financial Move?

First things first. Before you give notice at work, you need to know whether a pharmacy tech is likely to pay off because you wouldn’t want to leave your existing job for a dead-end role.

Luckily, there’s good news. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

• The 2024 median annual wage for pharmacy technicians is $43,460 (about $20.90 per hour).
• Employment for pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 6% from 2024–2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
• BLS projects about 49,000 openings each year on average over the decade, from growth and replacement needs.

While these numbers sure look promising, what does this mean for you?

Pharmacy tech is not a get-rich-quick path, but it is a stable, growing healthcare career with solid earning potential and room to advance.

So the question becomes: how do you get from today’s paycheck to that future without blowing up your finances?

Steps To Leave Your Current Role For Pharma Tech Without Going Broke

Step 1: Get Clear on the Real Cost of Training

Before you leave your job, list out all the costs that come with training, which means don’t just look at the tuition fee, but also the cost of equipment and internet.

1. School-related costs

Use your school’s website and financial aid office to map out:
Tuition and fees for the pharmacy technician program
Books and supplies (scrubs, lab fees, software, etc.)
Exam fees for any required certification or state registration
Transportation and parking
Technology (laptop, internet, etc.)

This is why it is highly recommended that you enroll in an online pharmacy technician training program, instead of an offline one.

With that said, the U.S. Department of Education offers tools like the College Affordability and Transparency Center and College Scorecard to help students compare college costs, average student loan debt, and graduation rates across institutions. U.S. Department of Education.

NOTE: You can also estimate your net price using the CCI Net Price Calculator.

2. Life costs while you’re in school

Then add your everyday life expenses:

• Rent or mortgage
• Utilities (electric, gas, water, internet, phone)
• Groceries and household items
• Transportation (not just commuting to the institute)
• Childcare
• Health insurance and medical expenses
• Minimum payments on any existing debt (credit cards, personal loans, etc.)

PRO TIP: To make this process easier, pull your last 2–3 bank statements and highlight every recurring bill and essential expense. Finally, write down your minimum monthly amount to live safely, i.e., not your “ideal,” but your “bare-minimum-but-still-okay” budget.

Step 2: Map Your Current Money

Now, overlay your current job on top of that survival budget.

• Take-home pay right now (per month, after taxes).
• Monthly survival budget from the exercise above.
• Any savings you already have
• Any support (spouse/partner income, family help, etc.)

Here, you need to be honest. You should ask yourself:
“If I quit my job tomorrow, how many months could I cover my survival budget with savings + support?”
Now, if your answer is less than 3 months, do NOT quit your job just yet.

Step 3: Decide How You’ll Work While You Train

You don’t always have to choose between 100% work and 100% school. There are several possible paths:

Option 1: Keep working full-time and train part-time

This is slower, but often the safest financially.

Pros:

• You keep a steady income and benefits.
• You may not need to borrow as much.
• You can build savings while you train.

Cons:

• Training may take longer.
• You’ll juggle work, school, and life—energy management becomes crucial.

NOTE: Enrolling in an Live program can help you with this.

Option 2: Drop to part-time at work and train more intensely

Pros:

• You still have some income.
• Faster completion than fully part-time study

Cons:

• You must renegotiate with your employer.
• Your budget has to tighten to match reduced hours.

Option 3: Quit your job and attend training full-time

Pros:

• Shortest path from “student” to “pharmacy tech.”
• You can fully focus on school and clinicals.

Cons:

• You’ll rely heavily on savings, financial aid, and possibly loans.
• You must have a rock-solid plan for bills, childcare, and health insurance.

Rule of thumb:
If you’re the primary earner or have significant dependents, consider Option 1 (virtual study), at least for the first term, while you test-drive the workload and lock in your funding.

Step 4: Use Every Dollar of Financial Aid You Qualify For

If you’re attending an eligible college or career school in the U.S., you may qualify for federal student aid—even as an adult returning to school.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office notes that financial aid can include grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships to help make college or career school more affordable.

Contact the CCI Training Center’s representatives for Financial Aid today.

For more information, check how to get financial assistance for continued education.

Step 5: Build Your “Bridge Fund”

Your bridge fund is money you set aside to cover the gap between:

• The day you reduce or quit your current job, and
• The day you’re earning a consistent income as a pharmacy tech.

How big should the bridge be?

It will depend on your personal condition. With that said, you should aim for the following practical targets:

• Aim for at least 3 months (better if more) of your survival budget if you’ll still be working part-time or have strong financial aid.
• Aim for 6+ months if you plan to stop working completely while in training.

Include:

• Emergency buffer for car repairs, medical bills, etc.
• Any upfront costs you’ll pay before aid is disbursed (deposits, first set of books, etc.).

A simple way to start building a bridge fund:

1. Decide on a monthly savings goal (even $100–$200 helps).
2. Automatically move that amount to a dedicated savings account right after payday.
3. Treat that “bridge contribution” like another bill you must pay yourself.

NOTE: If your timeline is short, pair savings with:

• Temporary overtime or an extra part-time job
• Selling unused items
• Cutting nonessential recurring subscriptions

While this is not ideal, it will help you manage funds for a short duration.

Final Checklist: Are You Financially Ready to Leave Your Job?

Before you hand in your notice, see how many of these you can check off:

• I know typical pharmacy tech pay and job outlook in the U.S.
• I’ve created a monthly survival budget for during training.
• I know the full cost of my program (tuition, fees, supplies, exams).
• I’ve submitted the FAFSA® and reviewed my financial aid options (grants, work-study, loans).
• I have a bridge fund (or a clear plan to build one) to cover several months of expenses.
• I’ve decided whether to keep working, go part-time, or stop working during school—and my numbers support that choice.
• I’ve looked ahead at post-graduation costs (certification, state fees, job search) and built them into my plan.