Pharmacy Tech Salary in the United States

How much does a Pharmacy Tech make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pharmacy Tech in the United States is $44,407 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $52,471
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $39,750 to $48,628
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $35,510

Key Factors That Influence Pharmacy Tech Salaries

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

Top Paying Cities for Pharmacy Teches

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: $56,011
  • San Francisco: $55,397
  • Oakland: $54,230

What Skills Can Increase a Pharmacy Tech's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 13.85% 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 2.29% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 1.64% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 13.85%
Billing 2.29%
Packaging 1.64%

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 Tech's salary.

  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Preventive Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Safety Procedures: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Alignment $52,400
18%
Preventive Maintenance $46,183
4%
Safety Procedures $45,739
3%

Pharmacy Tech Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Pharmacy Tech roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Pharmacy Tech positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Pharmacy Tech as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Pharmacy Tech

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$62,170$30.040%
Biotechnology$53,288$26.020%
Healthcare$48,848$23.010%

How Education impacts a Pharmacy Tech's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pharmacy Teches 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 Pharmacy Tech with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $44,172 and $47,015).

Pharmacy Tech Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pharmacy Tech
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 62.7%
Associates 18.0%
Bachelors 17.3%
Masters 1.1%
Doctorate 0.5%

Pharmacy Tech Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Pharmacy Tech'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 September 01, 2026
$39,750
Average $44,407/year
$48,628
$3,313
Average $3,701/month
$4,052
$764
Average $854/week
$935
$19
Average $21/hour
$23
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $48,628 $4,052 $935 $23
Average $44,407 $3,701 $854 $21
25th Percentile $39,750 $3,313 $764 $19

Most common benefits for Pharmacy Tech

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

Common company salaries for Pharmacy Tech

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

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FAQ about Pharmacy Tech

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Pharmacy Tech?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Pharmacy Tech roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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