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Pharmacy Technician Salary by State (2026)

Average pharmacy technician wages across all 50 states and D.C., sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Pharmacy technician pay varies significantly by state — from under $35,000/year in parts of the South to over $56,000 in Washington state.

$20.61
National avg. hourly
$42,875
National avg. annual
490K+
Pharmacy techs employed (US)
StateHourlyAnnualTypical range
Washington$26.99↑$56,140$45,550–$74,370Oregon$24.62↑$51,210$42,940–$65,320Alaska$24.25↑$50,440$38,650–$64,600California$23.87↑$49,640$38,850–$79,630Minnesota$23.35↑$48,560$37,780–$59,970Colorado$23.11↑$48,070$38,600–$62,760Arizona$22.89↑$47,620$37,650–$60,350North Dakota$22.88↑$47,600$37,690–$58,990Montana$22.59↑$46,980$37,370–$58,470Utah$22.48↑$46,760$36,650–$60,250Nevada$22.44↑$46,670$36,280–$60,400Wyoming$22.35↑$46,490$34,820–$60,600Vermont$22.14↑$46,050$37,720–$56,800Washington DC$21.96↑$45,670$39,220–$71,890Hawaii$21.82↑$45,380$36,960–$59,950New Hampshire$21.78↑$45,300$36,180–$57,090Idaho$21.74↑$45,210$36,940–$58,570New Mexico$21.62↑$44,970$36,460–$55,950Massachusetts$21.46↑$44,640$35,600–$63,010Illinois$21.45↑$44,610$35,670–$55,410Connecticut$21.25↑$44,190$36,570–$61,060Texas$21.12↑$43,920$35,200–$55,350South Dakota$21.04↑$43,760$35,990–$51,930Wisconsin$20.97↑$43,620$35,170–$55,200Delaware$20.90↑$43,470$35,210–$52,140Maryland$20.72↑$43,100$35,470–$59,480Virginia$20.43↓$42,490$35,510–$57,530Nebraska$19.90↓$41,400$34,600–$49,570Iowa$19.89↓$41,380$34,880–$52,530Maine$19.69↓$40,950$35,220–$52,500New York$19.63↓$40,840$35,390–$62,250Michigan$19.25↓$40,040$34,550–$51,180Indiana$19.24↓$40,020$35,570–$49,720North Carolina$19.17↓$39,870$35,230–$51,940Florida$19.06↓$39,640$35,460–$50,620Kansas$18.85↓$39,210$32,360–$51,390South Carolina$18.73↓$38,960$34,360–$49,800New Jersey$18.70↓$38,890$34,190–$57,010Louisiana$18.61↓$38,700$31,300–$49,100Georgia$18.46↓$38,390$32,090–$51,150Mississippi$18.37↓$38,210$31,190–$47,220Oklahoma$18.37↓$38,200$31,920–$48,990Tennessee$18.33↓$38,130$32,200–$49,410Missouri$18.26↓$37,990$30,630–$51,160Ohio$18.20↓$37,860$33,610–$52,130Rhode Island$18.14↓$37,730$37,210–$54,070Alabama$18.12↓$37,690$30,830–$48,190Kentucky$18.09↓$37,630$30,240–$50,060Pennsylvania$18.06↓$37,560$33,860–$49,770Arkansas$17.97↓$37,380$30,290–$47,030West Virginia$17.97↓$37,370$29,890–$49,270

Pharmacy Technician Salary FAQ

What is the average pharmacy technician salary in the United States?

The national average pharmacy technician wage is $20.61 per hour, or about $42,875 per year. Wages vary by state, practice setting (retail vs. hospital vs. specialty), and years of experience.

Which state pays pharmacy technicians the most?

Washington has the highest average pharmacy technician pay at $26.99/hour ($56,140/year). Other top-paying states include Oregon ($24.62/hr) and Alaska ($24.25/hr).

Do certified pharmacy technicians (CPhT) earn more than uncertified pharmacy technicians?

Generally yes. PTCB certification signals verified competency and often qualifies technicians for expanded duties, hospital or specialty settings, and higher starting pay. Many employers list CPhT certification as required or preferred for their better-paying roles.

How can a pharmacy technician increase their pay?

Pharmacy technicians can increase pay by: (1) moving from retail to hospital or specialty pharmacy settings, (2) adding a sterile/non-sterile compounding certification, (3) specializing in areas like oncology or nuclear pharmacy, or (4) advancing into a lead technician or pharmacy operations role.

How many pharmacy technicians are employed in the United States?

The BLS estimates approximately 490,400 pharmacy technicians are employed in the United States, with job growth projected at about 6% through 2034 — driven by an aging population and expanding retail and specialty pharmacy services.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and Occupational Outlook Handbook, SOC Code 29-2052 (Pharmacy Technicians). Data reflects annual averages and may not reflect recent wage changes.

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