Falls Church vs Virginia Beach: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)
Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Falls Church, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Falls Church, VA | Virginia Beach, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $42,564 | $46,320▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $20.47 | $22.27▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,245 | $38,317▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $36,969 | $40,004▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $44,991 | $51,033▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $52,925 | $60,733▲ |
| Total Employed | 5 | 1,990▲ |
Verdict
Virginia Beach, VA offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Falls Church.
The salary gap between Falls Church and Virginia Beach is $3,756 (8.82%). Virginia Beach's median is -3.98% compared to the US national median of $48,239.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Falls Church spans $16,680,Virginia Beach spans $22,416. Virginia Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Virginia Beach ($47,294 effective) pays 14.67% more than Falls Church ($41,244 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Falls Church if…
- ✓You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle
Choose Virginia Beach if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($46,320/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($60,733)
- ✓Larger job market (1,990 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,294)
- ✓You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Falls Church grew 6.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.2% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.
Falls Church, VA
$38,063 (2024) → $40,368 (2025)
Virginia Beach, VA
$32,020 (2019) → $43,930 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Falls Church, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Falls Church or Virginia Beach?
What is the hourly rate difference between Falls Church and Virginia Beach?
Should I relocate from Falls Church to Virginia Beach as a pharmacy technician?
What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Falls Church vs Virginia Beach?
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.
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