Pharmacy Tech Pay

Spokane vs University Place: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Spokane, WA and University Place, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Spokane, WA
$60,976
$29.31/hr
University Place, WA
$59,032
$28.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpokane, WAUniversity Place, WA
Median Salary$60,976$59,032
Hourly Rate$29.31$28.38
Entry Level (P10)$48,017$46,773
25th Percentile$51,423$48,296
75th Percentile$65,236$62,085
Top Earner (P90)$76,054$79,041
Total Employed7406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Spokane ($60,976) and University Place ($59,032) pharmacy technician salaries.SpokaneUniversity PlaceMedian Salary$60,976$59,032Entry Level (P10)$48,017$46,773Top Earner (P90)$76,054$79,041US Median $48,239

Verdict

Spokane, WA offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to University Place.

The salary gap between Spokane and University Place is $1,944 (3.29%). Spokane's median is +26.40% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Spokane spans $28,037,University Place spans $32,268. University Place has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Spokane
P10 (Entry)$48,017
P25$51,423
Median$60,976
P75$65,236
P90 (Top)$76,054
University Place
P10 (Entry)$46,773
P25$48,296
Median$59,032
P75$62,085
P90 (Top)$79,041

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($60,766 effective) pays 10.55% more than University Place ($54,965 effective).

Spokane
Nominal: $60,976
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $60,766
University Place
Nominal: $59,032
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $54,965

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Spokane if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,976/year)
  • Larger job market (740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,766)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose University Place if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($79,041)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Spokane grew 44.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.2% growth in University Place over the same period.

Spokane, WA

+44.0%

$40,160 (2019) → $57,830 (2025)

University Place, WA

+2.2%

$54,768 (2024) → $55,986 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Spokane or University Place?

Spokane has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $60,976/year, compared to University Place at $59,032/year — a difference of $1,944 (3.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Spokane and University Place?

Spokane pharmacy technicians earn $29.31/hr while University Place hygienists earn $28.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Spokane to University Place as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Spokane and University Place. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Spokane = $60,766, University Place = $54,965), job availability (740 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Spokane vs University Place?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $48,017 in Spokane and $46,773 in University Place. The Spokane 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