Pharmacy Tech Pay

Houston vs Tomball: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$48,924
$23.52/hr
Tomball, TX
$42,301
$20.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXTomball, TX
Median Salary$48,924$42,301
Hourly Rate$23.52$20.34
Entry Level (P10)$37,357$35,641
25th Percentile$39,793$36,354
75th Percentile$52,267$44,454
Top Earner (P90)$64,445$52,178
Total Employed10,6105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($48,924) and Tomball ($42,301) pharmacy technician salaries.HoustonTomballMedian Salary$48,924$42,301Entry Level (P10)$37,357$35,641Top Earner (P90)$64,445$52,178US Median $48,239

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Tomball is $6,623 (15.66%). 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,Tomball spans $16,537. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$37,357
P25$39,793
Median$48,924
P75$52,267
P90 (Top)$64,445
Tomball
P10 (Entry)$35,641
P25$36,354
Median$42,301
P75$44,454
P90 (Top)$52,178

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($49,604 effective) pays 12.57% more than Tomball ($44,064 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $48,924
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $49,604
Tomball
Nominal: $42,301
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $44,064

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)
  • 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

Choose Tomball if…

  • 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 13.9% growth in Tomball over the same period.

Houston, TX

+30.6%

$35,540 (2019) → $46,400 (2025)

Tomball, TX

+13.9%

$35,217 (2024) → $40,119 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Houston or Tomball?

Houston has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,924/year, compared to Tomball at $42,301/year — a difference of $6,623 (15.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Tomball?

Houston pharmacy technicians earn $23.52/hr while Tomball hygienists earn $20.34/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Tomball. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $49,604, Tomball = $44,064), job availability (10,610 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $37,357 in Houston and $35,641 in Tomball. 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