Pharmacy Tech Pay

Cleburne vs Houston: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cleburne, TX
$45,853
$22.05/hr
Houston, TX
$48,924
$23.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleburne, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$45,853$48,924
Hourly Rate$22.05$23.52
Entry Level (P10)$37,329$37,357
25th Percentile$38,287$39,793
75th Percentile$49,911$52,267
Top Earner (P90)$59,772$64,445
Total Employed710,610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleburne ($45,853) and Houston ($48,924) pharmacy technician salaries.CleburneHoustonMedian Salary$45,853$48,924Entry Level (P10)$37,329$37,357Top Earner (P90)$59,772$64,445US Median $48,239

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleburne and Houston is $3,071 (6.70%). 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 Cleburne spans $22,443,Houston spans $27,088. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Cleburne
P10 (Entry)$37,329
P25$38,287
Median$45,853
P75$49,911
P90 (Top)$59,772
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 3.85% more than Cleburne ($47,764 effective).

Cleburne
Nominal: $45,853
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $47,764
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 Cleburne 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 Cleburne grew 13.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.6% growth in Houston over the same period.

Cleburne, TX

+13.9%

$38,173 (2024) → $43,487 (2025)

Houston, TX

+30.6%

$35,540 (2019) → $46,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Cleburne or Houston?

Houston has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,924/year, compared to Cleburne at $45,853/year — a difference of $3,071 (6.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleburne and Houston?

Cleburne pharmacy technicians earn $22.05/hr while Houston hygienists earn $23.52/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleburne and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleburne = $47,764, Houston = $49,604), job availability (7 vs 10,610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $37,329 in Cleburne 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