How Much Does a Pharmacy Technician Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$45,750
Pharmacy technicians in the U.S. earn a median of $45,750 a year, or $22.00 an hour. Half of pharmacy technicians earn more than $45,750 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $61,040.
Pay percentiles for pharmacy technicians
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.32 | $36,020 |
| 25th | $18.20 | $37,850 |
| 50th (median) | $22.00 | $45,750 |
| 75th | $24.04 | $49,990 |
| 90th | $29.35 | $61,040 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Pharmacy Technicians (SOC 29-2052). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for pharmacy technicians
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $58,900 | $28.32 | +29% |
| California | $55,110 | $26.50 | +20% |
| Oregon | $54,900 | $26.39 | +20% |
| Alaska | $52,640 | $25.31 | +15% |
| Colorado | $49,970 | $24.02 | +9% |
| Montana | $49,400 | $23.75 | +8% |
| Minnesota | $48,300 | $23.22 | +6% |
| Wyoming | $48,260 | $23.20 | +5% |
| Utah | $48,140 | $23.14 | +5% |
| Nevada | $47,980 | $23.07 | +5% |
| United States | $45,750 | $22.00 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many pharmacy technicians are there?
BLS counts about 471,680 pharmacy technicians employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in Texas (41,740), California (39,860) and Florida (38,460).
The mean (average) annual wage is $46,620, higher than the median of $45,750.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,813
- Biweekly
- $1,760
- Weekly
- $880
- Daily (8 hours)
- $176
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make an hour?
The median hourly wage for pharmacy technicians is $22.00. The middle 50% earn between $18.20 and $24.04 an hour.
Which state pays pharmacy technicians the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for pharmacy technicians at $58,900, +29% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for pharmacy technicians?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of pharmacy technicians earn less than $36,020 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.