Pharmacy Tech Pay

Kennewick vs Seattle: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Kennewick, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kennewick, WA
$57,011
$27.41/hr
Seattle, WA
$64,656
$31.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$57,011$64,656
Hourly Rate$27.41$31.08
Entry Level (P10)$49,314$50,611
25th Percentile$51,212$55,514
75th Percentile$64,466$76,982
Top Earner (P90)$78,331$86,503
Total Employed2804,630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($57,011) and Seattle ($64,656) pharmacy technician salaries.KennewickSeattleMedian Salary$57,011$64,656Entry Level (P10)$49,314$50,611Top Earner (P90)$78,331$86,503US Median $48,239

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kennewick.

The salary gap between Kennewick and Seattle is $7,645 (13.41%). Seattle's median is +34.03% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kennewick spans $29,017,Seattle spans $35,892. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$49,314
P25$51,212
Median$57,011
P75$64,466
P90 (Top)$78,331
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$50,611
P25$55,514
Median$64,656
P75$76,982
P90 (Top)$86,503

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($58,179 effective) pays 2.13% more than Kennewick ($56,966 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $57,011
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $56,966
Seattle
Nominal: $64,656
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $58,179

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennewick if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,656/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,503)
  • Larger job market (4,630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,179)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Kennewick grew 19.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 37.1% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+19.9%

$45,100 (2019) → $54,070 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+37.1%

$44,730 (2019) → $61,320 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Kennewick or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $64,656/year, compared to Kennewick at $57,011/year — a difference of $7,645 (13.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Seattle?

Kennewick pharmacy technicians earn $27.41/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $31.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kennewick to Seattle as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $56,966, Seattle = $58,179), job availability (280 vs 4,630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Kennewick vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $49,314 in Kennewick and $50,611 in Seattle. The Seattle 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