Valuable entry-level experience, but high stress and low pay - Pharmacy Technician CVS Health Employee Review

5.0
19 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

1. Good entry-level healthcare experience It’s a great way to get your foot into the medical field, especially if you’re thinking about nursing, pharmacy, or other healthcare careers.  2. On-the-job training (even with no experience) CVS often trains you and helps you work toward certification, so you don’t need a medical background to start.  3. Flexible scheduling Many employees mention flexible hours, which is helpful if you’re in school or balancing family responsibilities.  4. Opportunities for career growth You can move into higher roles (lead tech, pharmacist path, or other healthcare positions) or transfer into different pharmacy settings.  5. You learn valuable skills You build customer service, attention to detail, and medical knowledge—all useful and transferable skills. 

Cons

1. High stress and fast pace Pharmacies can get extremely busy, especially during peak hours, flu season, or staffing shortages. You’re often multitasking nonstop. 2. Difficult customers You deal with frustrated patients (insurance issues, long wait times, medication costs). That can be emotionally draining day after day. 3. Standing for long hours Most of your shift is on your feet with very little downtime, which can be physically tiring. 4. Relatively low pay for the workload For the responsibility (handling medications, accuracy, customer service), many techs feel the pay doesn’t fully match the stress level. 5. Strict metrics and pressure from management CVS uses performance metrics (wait times, calls, vaccinations, etc.), which can make the job feel more like hitting numbers than focusing on patient

Explore other reviews about CVS Health

5.0
3 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

good, on time work schedule , benefits and health checkups

Cons

lot of work, chances of getting laid off for minor mistakes

5.0
13 Dec 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I learned a lot working there as far as how to run a business as well as how to develop a team. I had one of the most successful teams in the company ranking as the top store year over year in two separate markets, one in the Northeast one in the Southeast. I was a paragon winner with the company as well. My most recent DM was very supportive. I genuinely thank them for the opportunity and the knowledge that I acquired while working with them.

Cons

Work hours were excessive. To be successful hours worked were borderline slavery. While I willingly worked them to be successful, the week you didn't you were immediately behind. Vacations were almost non existent due to constant visitors from corporate stopping in to do reviews. Holiday weeks were paid 4 days regular 1 holiday and you worked all 5. The facade of the stores looking great when these people stop by versus the reality of the business is polarizing. There were always teams of people and excessive expenditures of payroll thrown into stores prior to their visits. While I understood the need to make an appearance, it was always will always be a backwards way off thinking. Company preaches quality of life for their clients while quality of life for their employees is non-existent. As a "manager" in your average store you will be "managing" a total of one person during your shift, with a total of 10 people at location. Location open hours will exceed total payroll hours ie Sun-Sat 7am-10pm = 15hrs per day x 7 days x 2 people = 210 hrs which excludes the need to have a person unload deliveries that come in during non opened hours. Your budgeted hours will be approximately 208 hrs. I will only mention that during the month of December that there are extended hours for the stores but no budgeted hours to accommodate. Stores are held to strict shrink targets with little to no control over external theft. Remember 2 people at location, if four people enter to steal there is nothing you can do to stop them. These are facts not personal prejudices.

1181
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All