Pharmacy Tech Pay

Houston vs The Woodlands: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$48,924
$23.52/hr
The Woodlands, TX
$48,339
$23.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXThe Woodlands, TX
Median Salary$48,924$48,339
Hourly Rate$23.52$23.24
Entry Level (P10)$37,357$38,280
25th Percentile$39,793$40,120
75th Percentile$52,267$53,643
Top Earner (P90)$64,445$65,922
Total Employed10,61021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($48,924) and The Woodlands ($48,339) pharmacy technician salaries.HoustonThe WoodlandsMedian Salary$48,924$48,339Entry Level (P10)$37,357$38,280Top Earner (P90)$64,445$65,922US Median $48,239

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to The Woodlands.

The salary gap between Houston and The Woodlands is $585 (1.21%). 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 Houston spans $27,088,The Woodlands spans $27,642. The Woodlands has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$37,357
P25$39,793
Median$48,924
P75$52,267
P90 (Top)$64,445
The Woodlands
P10 (Entry)$38,280
P25$40,120
Median$48,339
P75$53,643
P90 (Top)$65,922

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, The Woodlands ($50,353 effective) pays 1.51% more than Houston ($49,604 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $48,924
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $49,604
The Woodlands
Nominal: $48,339
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $50,353

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,924/year)
  • Larger job market (10,610 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose The Woodlands if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($65,922)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,353)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Houston grew 30.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.6% growth in The Woodlands over the same period.

Houston, TX

+30.6%

$35,540 (2019) → $46,400 (2025)

The Woodlands, TX

+19.6%

$38,320 (2024) → $45,845 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Houston or The Woodlands?

Houston has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,924/year, compared to The Woodlands at $48,339/year — a difference of $585 (1.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and The Woodlands?

Houston pharmacy technicians earn $23.52/hr while The Woodlands hygienists earn $23.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to The Woodlands as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and The Woodlands. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $49,604, The Woodlands = $50,353), job availability (10,610 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $37,357 in Houston and $38,280 in The Woodlands. The The Woodlands 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