Pharmacy Tech Pay

Baytown vs Houston: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Baytown, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baytown, TX
$45,892
$22.07/hr
Houston, TX
$48,924
$23.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaytown, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$45,892$48,924
Hourly Rate$22.07$23.52
Entry Level (P10)$34,830$37,357
25th Percentile$36,648$39,793
75th Percentile$49,610$52,267
Top Earner (P90)$60,000$64,445
Total Employed1610,610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baytown ($45,892) and Houston ($48,924) pharmacy technician salaries.BaytownHoustonMedian Salary$45,892$48,924Entry Level (P10)$34,830$37,357Top Earner (P90)$60,000$64,445US Median $48,239

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Baytown.

The salary gap between Baytown and Houston is $3,032 (6.61%). Houston's median is +1.42% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baytown spans $25,170,Houston spans $27,088. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Baytown
P10 (Entry)$34,830
P25$36,648
Median$45,892
P75$49,610
P90 (Top)$60,000
Houston
P10 (Entry)$37,357
P25$39,793
Median$48,924
P75$52,267
P90 (Top)$64,445

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($49,604 effective) pays 3.77% more than Baytown ($47,804 effective).

Baytown
Nominal: $45,892
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $47,804
Houston
Nominal: $48,924
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $49,604

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baytown if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,924/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,445)
  • Larger job market (10,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,604)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Baytown grew 13.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.6% growth in Houston over the same period.

Baytown, TX

+13.9%

$38,206 (2024) → $43,524 (2025)

Houston, TX

+30.6%

$35,540 (2019) → $46,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Baytown or Houston?

Houston has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,924/year, compared to Baytown at $45,892/year — a difference of $3,032 (6.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baytown and Houston?

Baytown pharmacy technicians earn $22.07/hr while Houston hygienists earn $23.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baytown to Houston as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baytown and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baytown = $47,804, Houston = $49,604), job availability (16 vs 10,610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Baytown vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $34,830 in Baytown and $37,357 in Houston. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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