Pharmacy Technician salary in the United States
National median pay
$45,750/year
about $22.00 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $37,850 – $49,990
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| 25th | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| Median (50th) | $45,750 | $22.00 |
| 75th | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| 90th (top earners) | $61,040 | $29.35 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: San Jose ($75,490). Lowest of the cities we track: Pittsburgh ($41,780).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $75,490 | $56,310 – $88,820 |
| Seattle, WA | $61,320 | $52,650 – $73,010 |
| San Francisco, CA | $60,550 | $51,030 – $81,440 |
| Portland, OR | $58,590 | $48,680 – $63,720 |
| Sacramento, CA | $58,470 | $48,280 – $77,340 |
| San Diego, CA | $54,500 | $47,920 – $66,750 |
| Denver, CO | $50,970 | $47,170 – $59,690 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $50,760 | $45,180 – $62,910 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $48,520 | $43,800 – $54,760 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $47,760 | $46,190 – $55,460 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $47,590 | $38,480 – $51,340 |
| San Antonio, TX | $47,050 | $39,300 – $49,680 |
| Austin, TX | $47,010 | $40,560 – $49,780 |
| Boston, MA | $46,890 | $39,610 – $61,670 |
| Chicago, IL | $46,820 | $38,830 – $49,950 |
| Washington, DC | $46,660 | $39,830 – $57,800 |
| Houston, TX | $46,400 | $37,740 – $49,570 |
| Dallas, TX | $46,260 | $38,160 – $49,540 |
| Charlotte, NC | $46,220 | $37,780 – $49,220 |
| Nashville, TN | $45,950 | $38,580 – $50,160 |
| Miami, FL | $45,240 | $37,100 – $47,880 |
| Baltimore, MD | $45,230 | $36,790 – $49,500 |
| St. Louis, MO | $45,220 | $37,280 – $48,190 |
| Atlanta, GA | $45,020 | $37,330 – $49,420 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $44,880 | $36,300 – $48,170 |
| New York, NY | $44,640 | $37,530 – $53,770 |
| Tampa, FL | $43,370 | $36,810 – $47,510 |
| Detroit, MI | $43,330 | $37,440 – $49,330 |
| Orlando, FL | $43,080 | $37,300 – $47,290 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $41,780 | $36,610 – $47,130 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for pharmacy technicians, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
$
- Below market under $37,850 ($18.20/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $37,850 to $49,990 ($18.20 to $24.03/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $49,990 ($24.03/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Certification (such as CPhT) is required in many states and often comes with higher pay.
- Hospital pharmacy roles often pay more than retail pharmacy roles.
- Ask about evening, weekend and holiday shifts, and any differential pay for them.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. Occupation: Pharmacy Technicians (SOC 29-2052). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.