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Hourly Wage for Certified Pharmacy Technician Salary in the United States

How much does a Certified Pharmacy Technician make hourly?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Certified Pharmacy Technician in the United States is $19, which translates to an annual salary of about $38,500.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $23 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $17 to $21 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $16 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $17 10% $16 90% $23 75% $21 $19 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Certified Pharmacy Technician Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $43,700 $3,642 $840 $21
Average $38,500 $3,208 $740 $19
25th Percentile $35,600 $2,967 $685 $17
Check out Certified Pharmacy Technician Job Openings in the United States
Certified Pharmacy Technician

Kroger - Columbus, OH

Certified Pharmacy Technician

Walgreens - Columbus, OH

Certified Pharmacy Technician

Trinity Health - Columbus, OH

Certified Pharmacy Technician

OhioHealth - Columbus, OH

Search More Certified Pharmacy Technician Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Certified Pharmacy Technician Salaries

A Certified Pharmacy Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Certified Pharmacy Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Pharmacy Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Certified Pharmacy Technician (0-1 years): $38,480
  • Senior Certified Pharmacy Technician (1-3 years): $46,111
  • Pharmacy Technician Team Leader (3+ years): $66,966
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Certified Pharmacy Technician0-1 years$38,480
Senior Certified Pharmacy Technician1-3 years$46,111
Pharmacy Technician Team Leader3+ years$66,966
$38,480 Certified...
$46,111 Senior Ce...
$66,966 Pharmacy ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Certified Pharmacy Technicians

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $48,600
  • San Francisco: $48,100
  • Oakland: $47,000

What Skills Can Increase a Certified Pharmacy Technician's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.63% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
  • Regulatory Compliance (Mentioned in 1.1% Job Postings): Monitoring strict adherence of all organizational processes and procedures to applicable laws and regulations.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.63%
Billing 2.08%
Regulatory Compliance 1.1%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Certified Pharmacy Technician's salary.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership
$47,740
24%
Patient Care
$45,045
17%
Commitment
$44,275
15%
Inventory Management
$43,505
13%
Eye Contact
$43,120
12%
Asset Protection
$43,120
12%
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Certified Pharmacy Technician Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Certified Pharmacy Technician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $43,115. While startup companies pay approximate $36,564.

Certified Pharmacy Technician Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$36,564
Growth Stage51~500$38,646
Established501~5000$41,659
Enterprise5000+$43,115

Certified Pharmacy Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Certified Pharmacy Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Certified Pharmacy Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Certified Pharmacy Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Certified Pharmacy Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$57,750$28.050%
Healthcare$50,050$24.030%
Biotechnology$46,200$22.020%

How Education impacts a Certified Pharmacy Technician's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Certified Pharmacy Technicians enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Certified Pharmacy Technician with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $37,728 and $39,943).

Certified Pharmacy Technician Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Certified Pharmacy Technician
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.7%
High School 65.6%
Associates 14.3%
Bachelors 16.5%
Masters 1.6%
Doctorate 0.3%
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Certified Pharmacy Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Certified Pharmacy Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Certified Pharmacy Technician

Salaries for a Certified Pharmacy Technician can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,011 in 2023 to around $50,430 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Certified Pharmacy Technician salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Certified Pharmacy Technician Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$54,011
2024
$51,914
2025
$50,430
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $54,011
2024 $51,914
2025 $50,430
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Certified Pharmacy Technician

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Certified Pharmacy Technician

Here are companies hiring for Certified Pharmacy Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Certified Pharmacy Technician Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Certified Pharmacy Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Trinity Health

    Columbus, OH

    Trinity Health | Columbus, OH

    Certified Pharmacy Technician. This position is located at Mount Carmel East. Why Mount Carmel. With five hospitals, over 60 free-standing outpatient clini... more

    4 Days Ago

  • OhioHealth

    Columbus, OH

    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    Pharmacy Technician. We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, an... more

    1 Day Ago

  • InnoSource

    Columbus, OH

    InnoSource | Columbus, OH

    Certified Pharmacy Technician / Patient Care Representative. Columbus, Ohio Hybrid Benefits offered. Description. Are you looking to get your foot in the d... more

    3 Days Ago

  • giftHEALTH Inc

    Columbus, OH

    giftHEALTH Inc | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. About Us. At Gifthealth, we're revolutionizing the way people experience healthcare by simplifying the proce... more

    5 Days Ago

  • ChenMed

    Columbus, OH

    ChenMed | Columbus, OH

    Pharmacy Technician. We're unique. You should be, too. We're changing lives every day. For both our patients and our team members. Are you innovative and e... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Allmed Staffing Inc

    Columbus, OH

    Allmed Staffing Inc | Columbus, OH

    Pharmacy Technician. Large managed care company is looking for pharmacy technicians to pick, label, scan, and otherwise prepare the finished prescription f... more

    1 Day Ago

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FAQ about Certified Pharmacy Technician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Certified Pharmacy Technician?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Certified Pharmacy Technician roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. What is the difference between pharmacy tech 1 and 2 and 3?

A pharmacy technician I typically earns a minimum salary of $36,200, while a pharmacy technician II may earn around $40,100. A pharmacy technician III, who has completed all prior requirements and gained additional experience, can earn up to $44,700. The progression reflects increased responsibilities, expertise, and certification levels in the pharmacy field.

3. What is the highest pay for CVS pharmacy tech?

The highest pay for a CVS pharmacy technician is approximately $44,700 annually. The salary range for Certified Pharmacy Technicians typically starts at $36,200, with a mid-range salary of $40,100. This reflects the competitive compensation within the industry for skilled professionals.

4. Can I make 150k as a pharmacist?

While some pharmacists can earn high salaries, Certified Pharmacy Technicians typically have a salary range between $36,200 and $44,700 annually. Pharmacists generally earn more, with top positions reaching up to $166,500 per year, depending on experience and location.

5. Can a pharmacy tech make 100k?

Typically, a pharmacy technician's median salary is $40,100, with a range from $36,200 to $44,700. While it's uncommon for pharmacy techs to earn $100,000, experienced technicians in certain areas or specialized roles may achieve higher salaries. Overall, salaries can vary significantly based on location and experience.

6. What is level 4 pharmacy technician?

The Level 4 Enhanced Practice Programme allows pharmacy technicians to enhance their knowledge and skills for advanced roles. This post-registration program supports various positions across pharmacy sectors, including dispensary and pharmacy managers. Certified Pharmacy Technicians can expect salaries ranging from $36,200 to $44,700, with a median salary of $40,100.

7. Do rad techs make good money?

Certified Pharmacy Technicians earn a salary ranging from $36,200 to $44,700, with a median salary of $40,100. While this may not be as high as some other healthcare roles, it offers a stable income and opportunities for growth in the pharmacy field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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