How much does a pharmacy technician make?
The median pharmacy technician in the United States earns $45,750 per year, about $22.00 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all pharmacy technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-2052.
Pharmacy technician salary range
Pay for pharmacy technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,020 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $61,040. The average (mean) wage of $46,620 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,020 | $17.32 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,850 | $18.20 | |
| Median (50th) | $45,750 | $22.00 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $49,990 | $24.04 | |
| 90th percentile | $61,040 | $29.35 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Pharmacy technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Pharmacy technicians earn the most in Washington at $58,900 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $38,210. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $58,900 | 8,150 |
| California | $55,110 | 39,860 |
| Oregon | $54,900 | 4,320 |
| Alaska | $52,640 | 800 |
| Colorado | $49,970 | 6,010 |
| Montana | $49,400 | 1,340 |
| Minnesota | $48,300 | 7,340 |
| Wyoming | $48,260 | 600 |
| Utah | $48,140 | 5,030 |
| Nevada | $47,980 | 4,070 |
| Vermont | $47,940 | 760 |
| Arizona | $47,640 | 12,970 |
| North Dakota | $47,560 | 890 |
| District of Columbia | $47,410 | 1,130 |
| New Hampshire | $47,360 | 1,970 |
| Connecticut | $47,050 | 5,200 |
| Hawaii | $46,760 | 1,540 |
| Illinois | $46,650 | 21,340 |
| New Mexico | $46,630 | 2,550 |
| Nebraska | $46,610 | 2,660 |
| Massachusetts | $46,470 | 10,150 |
| Delaware | $46,430 | 1,480 |
| Idaho | $46,420 | 2,950 |
| South Dakota | $46,170 | 1,230 |
| Wisconsin | $45,970 | 9,540 |
| Texas | $45,900 | 41,740 |
| Maine | $45,400 | 2,070 |
| Maryland | $45,120 | 7,990 |
| Iowa | $44,860 | 4,630 |
| Virginia | $44,610 | 10,720 |
| Indiana | $44,560 | 10,790 |
| North Carolina | $44,530 | 17,260 |
| Louisiana | $44,410 | 6,700 |
| Rhode Island | $44,380 | 1,540 |
| Michigan | $44,340 | 14,240 |
| New York | $43,930 | 24,400 |
| Florida | $43,590 | 38,460 |
| Kansas | $43,310 | 4,270 |
| South Carolina | $42,120 | 8,070 |
| Tennessee | $41,920 | 11,870 |
| Georgia | $41,910 | 14,680 |
| Ohio | $40,650 | 17,820 |
| Oklahoma | $40,500 | 5,500 |
| Missouri | $40,100 | 12,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,040 | 18,880 |
| New Jersey | $39,610 | 14,020 |
| Kentucky | $39,200 | 8,870 |
| Mississippi | $39,040 | 4,040 |
| Alabama | $39,030 | 8,510 |
| Arkansas | $38,680 | 4,560 |
| West Virginia | $38,210 | 3,560 |
State median wages for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for pharmacy technicians
The BLS projects employment of pharmacy technicians to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 471,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 501,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 44,700 openings a year for pharmacy technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a pharmacy technician
The typical entry-level education for pharmacy technicians is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a pharmacy technician earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $58,900) and the lowest (West Virginia, $38,210) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 471,680 people work as pharmacy technicians in the United States. At $45,750 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Pharmacy technician salary FAQ
How much does a pharmacy technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a pharmacy technician is $22.00. The middle half of pharmacy technicians earn between $18.20 and $24.04 per hour.
What is the highest pharmacy technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of pharmacy technicians earn more than $61,040 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a pharmacy technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a pharmacy technician is $45,750. The average (mean) wage of $46,620 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a pharmacy technician a well paid job?
At $45,750 a year, a pharmacy technician earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 471,680 people work as pharmacy technicians in the United States.
Which state pays pharmacy technicians the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for pharmacy technicians at $58,900 a year. California ($55,110) and Oregon ($54,900) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a pharmacy technician a good career?
Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 44,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a pharmacy technician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for pharmacy technicians as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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