Pharmacy Tech Pay

Anchorage vs Wasilla: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Anchorage, AK and Wasilla, AK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anchorage, AK
$54,692
$26.30/hr
Wasilla, AK
$47,316
$22.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnchorage, AKWasilla, AK
Median Salary$54,692$47,316
Hourly Rate$26.30$22.74
Entry Level (P10)$42,777$40,446
25th Percentile$49,325$41,254
75th Percentile$61,493$50,173
Top Earner (P90)$76,613$58,919
Total Employed4804
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anchorage ($54,692) and Wasilla ($47,316) pharmacy technician salaries.AnchorageWasillaMedian Salary$54,692$47,316Entry Level (P10)$42,777$40,446Top Earner (P90)$76,613$58,919US Median $48,239

Verdict

Anchorage, AK offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wasilla.

The salary gap between Anchorage and Wasilla is $7,376 (15.59%). Anchorage's median is +13.38% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anchorage spans $33,836,Wasilla spans $18,473. Anchorage has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Anchorage
P10 (Entry)$42,777
P25$49,325
Median$54,692
P75$61,493
P90 (Top)$76,613
Wasilla
P10 (Entry)$40,446
P25$41,254
Median$47,316
P75$50,173
P90 (Top)$58,919

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Anchorage ($51,880 effective) pays 16.33% more than Wasilla ($44,596 effective).

Anchorage
Nominal: $54,692
CoL Index: 105.42
Adjusted: $51,880
Wasilla
Nominal: $47,316
CoL Index: 106.1
Adjusted: $44,596

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anchorage if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,692/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($76,613)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,880)
  • You prefer the Alaska area and lifestyle

Choose Wasilla if…

  • You prefer the Alaska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Anchorage grew 20.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -4.7% growth in Wasilla over the same period.

Anchorage, AK

+20.9%

$42,910 (2019) → $51,870 (2025)

Wasilla, AK

+-4.7%

$47,081 (2024) → $44,875 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Anchorage or Wasilla?

Anchorage has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $54,692/year, compared to Wasilla at $47,316/year — a difference of $7,376 (15.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anchorage and Wasilla?

Anchorage pharmacy technicians earn $26.30/hr while Wasilla hygienists earn $22.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anchorage to Wasilla as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anchorage and Wasilla. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anchorage = $51,880, Wasilla = $44,596), job availability (480 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Anchorage vs Wasilla?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $42,777 in Anchorage and $40,446 in Wasilla. The Anchorage area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD

Career Analyst

Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov