Pharmacy Technician Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$43,000
national median salary
$37,000 to $49,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $45,750 for Pharmacy Technicians (SOC 29-2052) across the United States, based on 471,680 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$36,020
25th percentile
$37,850
Median
$45,750
75th percentile
$49,990
90th percentile
$61,040
Workers surveyed
471,680
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$43,460
May 2025 release
$45,750
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Pharmacy Technicians (SOC 29-2052) rather than Pharmacy Technicianspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 29-2052Highest Paying
$59,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$45,000
Providence, RI
Lowest Paying
$32,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 29-2052. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Pharmacy Technician salary in the United States at $43,000 in 2026, within a range of $37,000 to $49,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $59,000, while Providence offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. National certification through PTCB or ExCPT is the primary pay differentiator, adding 8 to 15% over uncertified techs.
Pharmacy Technician salary by city.
Skills that increase Pharmacy Technician pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Pharmacy Technicians based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $6,020 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$6,020 per year
≈ +$5,590 per year
≈ +$5,160 per year
≈ +$4,730 per year
≈ +$4,730 per year
≈ +$4,300 per year
≈ +$4,300 per year
≈ +$3,870 per year
What you should know.
National certification through PTCB or ExCPT is the primary pay differentiator, adding 8 to 15% over uncertified techs. Hospital pharmacy techs earn more than retail due to sterile compounding requirements. IV room experience and hazardous drug handling certification create additional premium pay opportunities in institutional settings.
Entry-level techs start at $30,000 to $34,000 in retail settings. Certified techs with specialty skills earn $37,000 to $43,000 after three years. Lead techs or IV room specialists can reach $44,000 to $52,000, and many use the role as a stepping stone to pharmacy school.
Pharmacy techs receive standard benefits packages including health insurance and retirement contributions. Retail chains often offer tuition reimbursement for pharmacy school. Hospital techs receive shift differentials of $1 to $3 per hour for off-peak schedules.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Pharmacy Technicians typically earn $42,000 (3% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Pharmacy Technician pay.
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