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Pharmacy Technician I Salary in the United States

How much does a Pharmacy Technician I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pharmacy Technician I in the United States is $38,480 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

However, a Pharmacy Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $48,323
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,558 to $43,632
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,898
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Pharmacy Technician I Salaries

A Pharmacy Technician I'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 Pharmacy Technician I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Pharmacy Technician I'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:

  • Pharmacy Technician I (0-1 years): $38,480
  • Pharmacy Technician II (1-3 years): $46,111
  • Pharmacy Technician Supervisor (3+ years): $66,966
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Pharmacy Technician I0-1 years$38,480
Pharmacy Technician II1-3 years$46,111
Pharmacy Technician Supervisor3+ years$66,966
View as Graph

How Do Pharmacy Technician Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Pharmacy Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $42,605.
  • California: $42,443.
  • Massachusetts: $41,878.

Top Paying Cities for Pharmacy Technician I

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: $48,535
  • San Francisco: $48,003
  • Oakland: $46,992

What Skills Can Increase a Pharmacy Technician I'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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.63%
Billing 2.08%
Regulatory Compliance 1.1%
See More Skills

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 Pharmacy Technician I'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 $47,715
24%
Patient Care $45,022
17%
Commitment $44,252
15%
Get Latest Data

Pharmacy Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Pharmacy Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $43,093. While startup companies pay approximate $36,545.

Pharmacy Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $36,545
Growth Stage 51~500 $38,626
Established 501~5000 $41,637
Enterprise 5000+ $43,093

Pharmacy Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Pharmacy Technician I 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, Pharmacy Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Pharmacy Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Pharmacy Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$57,720$28.050%
Healthcare$50,024$24.030%
Biotechnology$46,176$22.020%

How Education impacts an Pharmacy Technician I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pharmacy Technician I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Pharmacy Technician I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $38,195 and $40,456.

Pharmacy Technician I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pharmacy Technician I
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%
View as Graph

Pharmacy Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Pharmacy Technician I'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
$35,558
Average $38,480/year
$43,632
$2,963
Average $3,207/month
$3,636
$684
Average $740/week
$839
$17
Average $19/hour
$21
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $43,632 $3,636 $839 $21
Average $38,480 $3,207 $740 $19
25th Percentile $35,558 $2,963 $684 $17

Pharmacy Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

Pharmacy Technician I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Pharmacy Technician I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Pharmacy Technician II $46,111 20%
Formulary Manager $170,959 344%
Hyperalimentation Technician $40,480 5%
Specialty Pharmacy Technician $58,931 53%

Most common benefits for Pharmacy Technician I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Pharmacy Technician I

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

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FAQ about Pharmacy Technician I

1. Where can a Pharmacy Technician I earn the most?

A Pharmacy Technician I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Pharmacy Technician I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Pharmacy Technician I is $48,535.

2. What is the highest pay for Pharmacy Technician I?

The highest pay for Pharmacy Technician I is $48,323.

3. What is the lowest pay for Pharmacy Technician I?

The lowest pay for Pharmacy Technician I is $32,898.

4. What are the responsibilities of Pharmacy Technician I?

Assists a registered pharmacist with support activities and processes required to dispense medical prescriptions. Collects, inputs, and verifies prescription, refill, and patient information. Receives and stocks incoming supplies. May prepare labels and routine prepacked orders. May be expected to perform some clerical duties relating to the department. Requires a high school diploma. May require Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Pharmacy Technician I?

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

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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