Pharmacy Technician Associate Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pharmacy Technician Associate in the United States is $36,737 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $44,952
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $33,688 to $41,037
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $30,911

Key Factors That Influence Pharmacy Technician Associate Salaries

A Pharmacy Technician Associate'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.

How Do Pharmacy Technician Associate 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 Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $40,676.
  • California: $40,521.
  • Massachusetts: $39,981.

Top Paying Cities for Pharmacy Technician Associates

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: $46,337
  • San Francisco: $45,830
  • Oakland: $44,864

What Skills Can Increase a Pharmacy Technician Associate'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%

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 Associate'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 $45,554
24%
Patient Care $42,983
17%
Commitment $42,248
15%

Pharmacy Technician Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a Pharmacy Technician Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$55,106$26.050%
Healthcare$47,759$23.030%
Biotechnology$44,085$21.020%

How Education impacts a Pharmacy Technician Associate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pharmacy Technician Associates 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 Technician Associate with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $37,845 and $40,113).

Pharmacy Technician Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pharmacy Technician Associate
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%

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

Understanding how a Pharmacy Technician Associate'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
$33,688
Average $36,737/year
$41,037
$2,807
Average $3,061/month
$3,420
$648
Average $706/week
$789
$16
Average $18/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $41,037 $3,420 $789 $20
Average $36,737 $3,061 $706 $18
25th Percentile $33,688 $2,807 $648 $16

Most common benefits for Pharmacy Technician Associate

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

Common company salaries for Pharmacy Technician Associate

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

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FAQ about Pharmacy Technician Associate

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Pharmacy Technician Associate 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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