Pharmaceutical Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Pharmaceutical Operator make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pharmaceutical Operator in the United States is $76,556 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a Pharmaceutical Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $91,121
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,599 to $84,180
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,623
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View as table View as graph 25% $65,599 10% $55,623 90% $91,121 75% $84,180 $76,556 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Pharmaceutical Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $84,180 $7,015 $1,619 $40
Average $76,556 $6,380 $1,472 $37
25th Percentile $65,599 $5,467 $1,262 $32
Check out Pharmaceutical Operator Job Openings in the United States
Remedial Daywork Operator

Nine Energy Service - CHARLEROI, PA

OTR Class Owner Operator

Clean Harbors - REIDSVILLE, NC

Regional Class Owner Operator

Clean Harbors - DES MOINES, IA

OTR Owner Operator

Clean Harbors - KIMBALL, NE

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Key Factors That Influence Pharmaceutical Operator Salaries

A Pharmaceutical Operator'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 Pharmaceutical Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Pharmaceutical Operator'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $75,491
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $75,795
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $79,384
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $82,436
  • Expert (over 8 years): $82,654
Levels Salary
Entry Level Pharmaceutical Operator$75,491
Intermediate Level Pharmaceutical Operator$75,795
Senior Level Pharmaceutical Operator$79,384
Specialist Level Pharmaceutical Operator$82,436
Expert Level Pharmaceutical Operator$82,654
$75,491 0 yr
$75,795 < 2 yrs
$79,384 2-4 yrs
$82,436 5-8 yrs
$82,654 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Pharmaceutical Operators

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: $96,561
  • San Francisco: $95,611
  • Oakland: $93,491

What Skills Can Increase a Pharmaceutical Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 13.39% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 2.82% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
  • LIMS (Mentioned in 1.56% Job Postings): A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is software that allows you to effectively manage samples and associated data.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 13.39%
Calibration 2.82%
LIMS 1.56%
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 Pharmaceutical Operator's salary.
  • Authenticity: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Clinical Diagnostic: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Authenticity
$80,384
5%
Collaboration
$80,384
5%
Clinical Diagnostic
$79,619
4%
Presentation
$79,619
4%
Leadership
$78,853
3%
Material Science
$78,853
3%
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How Education impacts a Pharmaceutical Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pharmaceutical Operators enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Pharmaceutical Operator with a Bachelor's Degree is between $80,183 and $85,677).

Pharmaceutical Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pharmaceutical Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 0.6%
Associates 0.9%
Bachelors 62.3%
Masters 27.3%
Doctorate 8.9%
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Pharmaceutical Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Pharmaceutical Operator'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Pharmaceutical Operator

Salaries for a Pharmaceutical Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $63,245 in 2023 to around $62,931 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Pharmaceutical Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Pharmaceutical Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$63,245
2024
$63,132
2025
$62,931
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $63,245
2024 $63,132
2025 $62,931
2026
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2027
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Most common benefits for Pharmaceutical Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Pharmaceutical Operator

Here are companies hiring for Pharmaceutical Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Pharmaceutical Operator Job

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

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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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