Pharmacy Tech Pay

Tucson vs Yuma: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Tucson, AZ and Yuma, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Tucson, AZ
$49,884
$23.98/hr
Yuma, AZ
$47,501
$22.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTucson, AZYuma, AZ
Median Salary$49,884$47,501
Hourly Rate$23.98$22.84
Entry Level (P10)$39,730$38,443
25th Percentile$48,513$39,909
75th Percentile$54,407$52,193
Top Earner (P90)$66,691$60,765
Total Employed1,630220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Tucson ($49,884) and Yuma ($47,501) pharmacy technician salaries.TucsonYumaMedian Salary$49,884$47,501Entry Level (P10)$39,730$38,443Top Earner (P90)$66,691$60,765US Median $48,239

Verdict

Tucson, AZ offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Yuma.

The salary gap between Tucson and Yuma is $2,383 (5.02%). Tucson's median is +3.41% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Tucson spans $26,961,Yuma spans $22,322. Tucson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Tucson
P10 (Entry)$39,730
P25$48,513
Median$49,884
P75$54,407
P90 (Top)$66,691
Yuma
P10 (Entry)$38,443
P25$39,909
Median$47,501
P75$52,193
P90 (Top)$60,765

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($51,482 effective) pays 0.48% more than Yuma ($51,238 effective).

Tucson
Nominal: $49,884
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $51,482
Yuma
Nominal: $47,501
CoL Index: 92.706
Adjusted: $51,238

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Tucson if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,884/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($66,691)
  • Larger job market (1,630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,482)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Yuma if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Tucson grew 24.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.7% growth in Yuma over the same period.

Tucson, AZ

+24.9%

$37,880 (2019) → $47,310 (2025)

Yuma, AZ

+23.7%

$36,430 (2019) → $45,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Tucson or Yuma?

Tucson has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $49,884/year, compared to Yuma at $47,501/year — a difference of $2,383 (5.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Tucson and Yuma?

Tucson pharmacy technicians earn $23.98/hr while Yuma hygienists earn $22.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Tucson to Yuma as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Tucson and Yuma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Tucson = $51,482, Yuma = $51,238), job availability (1,630 vs 220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Tucson vs Yuma?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $39,730 in Tucson and $38,443 in Yuma. The Tucson 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