Pharmacy Tech Pay

Kennewick vs Tukwila: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Kennewick, WA
$57,011
$27.41/hr
Tukwila, WA
$55,640
$26.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WATukwila, WA
Median Salary$57,011$55,640
Hourly Rate$27.41$26.75
Entry Level (P10)$49,314$47,606
25th Percentile$51,212$48,558
75th Percentile$64,466$58,967
Top Earner (P90)$78,331$69,433
Total Employed2804
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($57,011) and Tukwila ($55,640) pharmacy technician salaries.KennewickTukwilaMedian Salary$57,011$55,640Entry Level (P10)$49,314$47,606Top Earner (P90)$78,331$69,433US Median $48,239

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Kennewick and Tukwila is $1,371 (2.46%). Kennewick's median is +18.18% 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,Tukwila spans $21,827. Kennewick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$49,314
P25$51,212
Median$57,011
P75$64,466
P90 (Top)$78,331
Tukwila
P10 (Entry)$47,606
P25$48,558
Median$55,640
P75$58,967
P90 (Top)$69,433

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($56,966 effective) pays 9.96% more than Tukwila ($51,806 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $57,011
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $56,966
Tukwila
Nominal: $55,640
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $51,806

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,011/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($78,331)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,966)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Tukwila if…

  • 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 2.2% growth in Tukwila over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+19.9%

$45,100 (2019) → $54,070 (2025)

Tukwila, WA

+2.2%

$51,621 (2024) → $52,769 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Kennewick or Tukwila?

Kennewick has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $57,011/year, compared to Tukwila at $55,640/year — a difference of $1,371 (2.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Tukwila?

Kennewick pharmacy technicians earn $27.41/hr while Tukwila hygienists earn $26.75/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Tukwila. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $56,966, Tukwila = $51,806), job availability (280 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $49,314 in Kennewick and $47,606 in Tukwila. The Kennewick 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