Pharmacy Technician Salary in 2026

    SOC: 29-2052.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $43,460
    per year
    Salary Range
    $35K – $59K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    487,920
    employed
    Job Growth
    +6.4%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Pharmacy Technicians Make?

    Pharmacy Technicians earn a median annual salary of $43,460 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,100 at the 10th percentile to $59,450 at the 90th percentile — a range of $24,350. The highest-paying state is Washington at $56,140.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$35,100
    25th percentile$36,920
    Median (50th)$43,460
    75th percentile$48,580
    90th percentile$59,450
    10th: $35,100Median: $43,46090th: $59,450
    Section 02

    Pharmacy Technician Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Washingtontop$56,140
    Oregon$51,210
    Alaska$50,440
    California$49,640
    Minnesota$48,560
    Colorado$48,070
    Arizona$47,620
    North Dakota$47,600
    Montana$46,980
    Utah$46,760
    Nevada$46,670
    Wyoming$46,490
    Vermont$46,050
    District of Columbia$45,670
    Hawaii$45,380
    New Hampshire$45,300
    Idaho$45,210
    New Mexico$44,970
    Massachusetts$44,640
    Illinois$44,610
    Connecticut$44,190
    Texas$43,920
    South Dakota$43,760
    Wisconsin$43,620
    Delaware$43,470
    Maryland$43,100
    Virginia$42,490
    Nebraska$41,400
    Iowa$41,380
    Maine$40,950
    New York$40,840
    Michigan$40,040
    Indiana$40,020
    North Carolina$39,870
    Florida$39,640
    Kansas$39,210
    South Carolina$38,960
    New Jersey$38,890
    Louisiana$38,700
    Georgia$38,390
    Mississippi$38,210
    Oklahoma$38,200
    Tennessee$38,130
    Missouri$37,990
    Ohio$37,860
    Rhode Island$37,730
    Alabama$37,690
    Kentucky$37,630
    Pennsylvania$37,560
    Arkansas$37,380
    West Virginia$37,370
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Pharmacy Technicians

    Napa, CA
    Highest paying
    $81,310
    top metro salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
    $70,740
    $-10,570 vs highest
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
    $61,990
    $-19,320 vs highest
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
    $61,290
    $-20,020 vs highest
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
    $59,960
    $-21,350 vs highest
    Washington
    $56,140
    $-25,170 vs highest
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
    $55,810
    $-25,500 vs highest
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
    $55,690
    $-25,620 vs highest
    Section 04

    Pharmacy Technician Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$35,100 – $36,920
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$43,460
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$48,580
    Senior (15+ yrs)$59,450+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Pharmacy Technician

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Pharmacy Technicians in Napa, CA earn $81,310 — $37,850 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($48,580) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Pharmacy Technician Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Pharmacy Technicianthis career$43,460
    Medical and Health Services Manager$117,960
    Pharmacist$137,480
    Anesthesiologist Assistant$133,260
    Medical and Clinical Laboratory TechnologistN/A

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    PathScorer compares your skills to Pharmacy Technician requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 29-2052.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.