Toronto pharmacies hire across a wider range of roles than most people realize: front-store cashiers, pharmacy assistants who count and label medications, and registered pharmacy technicians. Starting pay is above Ontario minimum wage for dispensary roles, and some chains offer benefits even for part-time staff. The employers below are actively posting as of May 2026.
Pharmacies currently hiring in Toronto
Sourced from Indeed Canada and employer career pages. Verify openings directly before applying as positions fill quickly.
Shoppers Drug Mart
Pharmacy Assistant, Front Store Cashier · Multiple Toronto locations · Part-time and full-time
Shoppers Drug Mart is Canada's largest pharmacy retailer with dozens of Toronto locations including several 24-hour stores. They hire at two levels: front-store cashiers (no pharmacy experience needed) and pharmacy assistants (work in the dispensary counting and labelling prescriptions). Shoppers also posts for Optimum Beauty Advisors in cosmetics. All applications go through the Loblaws careers portal as Shoppers is a Loblaw Company.
View openings at Shoppers / Loblaws careers →Rexall
Pharmacy Assistant, Retail Sales Associate · Toronto and North York · Part-time
Rexall operates pharmacies across Toronto primarily in medical buildings and mall locations. They hire pharmacy assistants for dispensary support and retail staff for front-store operations. Rexall is owned by McKesson Canada and applies for staff with benefits packages available after qualifying hours.
View openings at Rexall careers →Pharmasave
Pharmacy Assistant, Customer Service · Toronto and Etobicoke · Part-time
Pharmasave is an independently owned cooperative of pharmacies. Each Toronto location hires separately, so availability and culture vary by store. Independently owned pharmacies often move faster through the hiring process than chains. Apply directly in-store or through Indeed for individual location postings.
Search Pharmasave openings on Indeed →Costco Pharmacy
Pharmacy Assistant · Scarborough, Etobicoke, North York · Part-time and full-time
Costco Pharmacy operates dispensaries inside its Toronto-area warehouse locations. Starting pay for pharmacy roles at Costco is notably above the market rate, and Costco is known for above-average total compensation including benefits and profit sharing. Applications require a Costco careers account.
View openings at Costco careers →Walmart Pharmacy
Pharmacy Assistant · Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke · Part-time
Walmart Canada operates pharmacy dispensaries inside its supercenter locations. Pharmacy assistant roles involve prescription intake, counting, and labelling under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Applications through the Walmart Canada careers portal; in-store applications are rarely processed.
Search Walmart pharmacy openings on Indeed →Guardian Pharmacy Toronto
Pharmacy Assistant · Toronto neighbourhood locations · Part-time
Guardian is a franchised banner of independently owned community pharmacies. Toronto has several Guardian locations, particularly in established residential neighbourhoods. Community pharmacies tend to have more personalized working environments and longer tenure than chain locations. Walk-in applications are welcomed at most Guardian pharmacies.
Search Guardian Pharmacy openings on Indeed →What pharmacy workers in Toronto actually earn
Ontario's general minimum wage is $17.60/hour as of October 2025. Front-store cashier roles at chains like Shoppers Drug Mart typically start at $17.60–$18/hr. Pharmacy assistant roles in the dispensary command a meaningful premium: $18–$23/hr depending on experience and chain. Costco pharmacy assistants typically start at the higher end of that range.
Registered Pharmacy Technicians (RPTs) earn $22–$30/hr in Toronto. The RPT designation requires passing the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) qualifying exam and registering with the Ontario College of Pharmacists. Many pharmacy assistants pursue RPT status after gaining experience, as the wage uplift is significant.
Credentials that help you get hired faster
Front-store cashier roles require no credentials beyond a willingness to work. For dispensary (pharmacy assistant) roles, employers prefer applicants who have completed a pharmacy assistant certificate program. Centennial College, Seneca College, and Humber College all offer pharmacy assistant programs in the Greater Toronto Area, with program lengths ranging from eight months to one year.
A Dispensing Technician Certificate from the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) strengthens your application significantly. Employers also value prior customer service experience, attention to detail, and comfort with computerized dispensing systems such as Kroll.
How to apply for pharmacy jobs in Toronto
Major chains (Shoppers, Rexall, Costco, Walmart) process all applications online through their careers portals. Independent pharmacies (Pharmasave, Guardian) often accept walk-in resumes and move faster. If you are also considering retail cashier roles outside pharmacy, see our stores currently hiring cashiers in Toronto for a broader list. Browse all healthcare and retail openings across the GTA on CanuckHire.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a pharmacy assistant certificate to work in a dispensary?
Not legally, but it helps considerably. Ontario does not require a certificate to work as a pharmacy assistant, only Registered Pharmacy Technicians need College of Pharmacists registration. However, major chains like Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall strongly prefer applicants who have completed a recognized pharmacy assistant program. If you are entering without one, independents and smaller chains are more likely to hire and train on the job.
What is the difference between a pharmacy assistant and a pharmacy technician in Ontario?
A pharmacy assistant is an unregulated support worker who helps with administrative and logistical tasks in the dispensary under pharmacist supervision. A Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPT) is a regulated health professional registered with the Ontario College of Pharmacists who can independently verify prescriptions. RPT requires the PEBC qualifying exam and registration, which pharmacy assistants do not. The wage difference is roughly $5 to $8/hour in Toronto.
Do Toronto pharmacies hire for overnight shifts?
Some 24-hour Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Toronto hire overnight pharmacy staff. Overnight shifts for front-store cashiers are more common than overnight dispensary work. A shift premium of $0.50 to $1.50/hour above base rate is typical for overnight pharmacy cashier shifts.
Does Shoppers Drug Mart offer benefits to part-time pharmacy staff?
Shoppers Drug Mart part-time employees can access a benefits plan after accumulating a qualifying number of hours. Coverage is typically extended health and dental. The specifics depend on whether the location is corporate or franchised, as franchised Shoppers locations may offer different benefit structures. Ask about benefits eligibility directly during the interview.
How do I become a Registered Pharmacy Technician in Ontario?
To become an RPT in Ontario you must complete an accredited pharmacy technician program (available at Seneca, Humber, or Centennial), pass the PEBC Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Exam (both written and OSCE components), and register with the Ontario College of Pharmacists. The registration fee is approximately $600 per year. Many pharmacy assistants work in the field for one to two years while completing the exam requirements.