Salary Outlook
According to the BLS, the average pharmacy technician earned $28,940 in 2011. The best-paid earned about $41,880, while the lowest-paid earned less than $20,310. Outpatient care centers pay particularly well. Metropolitan areas that offer the highest compensation include San Jose, Calif., Madera, Calif., and San Francisco.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | $21,210.00 |
| 2004 | $27,670.00 |
| 2006 | $29,870.00 |
| 2008 | $32,220.00 |
| 2010 | $33,300.00 |
Average Pharmacy Technician Pay vs. All Healthcare Jobs
With an average salary that’s below $30,000 per year, pharmacy technicians don’t earn as much as some other workers in the healthcare field. For instance, dental hygienists earn $69,280 per year, and radiologic technologists have an average salary of $55,120. Medical secretaries and epidemiologists also make more than the average pharmacy technician.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Dentist | $142,740.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $69,280.00 |
| Epidemiologist | $64,220.00 |
| Radiologic Technologist | $55,120.00 |
| Medical Secretary | $31,060.00 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $28,940.00 |
See Complete List of Best Healthcare Jobs
Best Paying Cities for Pharmacy Technicians
The highest paid in the pharmacy technician profession work in the metropolitan areas of San Jose, CA, Madera, CA, and Oakland, CA. The San Francisco, CA area also pays well, as does the city of San Luis Obispo, CA.
San Jose, CA
Average Salary: $45,760 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a pharmacy technician working in San Jose, CA is $45,760, which is $16,820 more than the average pay in the profession.
Madera, CA
Average Salary: $43,780 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a pharmacy technician working in Madera, CA is $43,780, which is $14,840 more than the average pay in the profession.
Oakland, CA
Average Salary: $42,650 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a pharmacy technician working in Oakland, CA is $42,650, which is $13,710 more than the average pay in the profession.
San Francisco, CA
Average Salary: $42,150 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a pharmacy technician working in San Francisco, CA is $42,150, which is $13,210 more than the average pay in the profession.
San Luis Obispo, CA
Average Salary: $41,740 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a pharmacy technician working in San Luis Obispo, CA is $41,740, which is $12,800 more than the average pay in the profession.
