Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Bellingham, WA: $28.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Bellingham, WA runs $28.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,057 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Bellingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,437 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $28.39, pharmacy technicians in Bellingham, WA, enjoy a compensation rate significantly higher than the national median of $23.19. This difference can be particularly beneficial for part-time workers or those in per diem positions, as many pharmacy techs operate in diverse environments such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital sterile compounding areas, and specialty pharmacies. Entry-level technicians earn approximately $19.97 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach up to $39.77 per hour depending on their specific role and workplace setting. These figures reflect the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections for 2026, setting a benchmark for what pharmacy technicians might expect to earn in Bellingham compared to their counterparts nationwide.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.97 | $159.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.36 | $194.85 |
| Median (P50) | $28.39 | $227.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.52 | $260.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.77 | $318.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellingham
Based on $28.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.39/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellingham, WA can expect to earn approximately $59,062 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,074. With a cost-of-living index of 103.33 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,135.80 | $4,922 | $59,062 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $681.48 | $2,953 | $35,437 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $454.32 | $1,969 | $23,625 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Bellingham) | $28.39 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $59,057 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.43% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $60,201.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.39/hr = $35,437/year (purchasing power: $34,294).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,062/year (purchasing power: $57,156).
CoL index: 103.334 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Bellingham grew 30.0% from $20.71/hr (2019) to $26.93/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.94/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Bellingham
Part-time pharmacy technicians working three days a week, or 24 hours, can expect annual earnings around $35,165, which highlights the pros and cons of full-time versus part-time positions. Meanwhile, per diem pharmacy technician pay in Bellingham typically ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles in hospital sterile compounding often seeing rates of $25 to $40 per hour. Notably, travel pharmacy tech contracts can fetch between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly, particularly in high-demand areas. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on the type of employer; retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, hospital pharmacies, and specialty pharmacies often offer different compensation packages. Some technicians may choose lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others prefer the flexibility of higher rates without added perks. For those navigating the job market, practical negotiation skills can enhance pay opportunities, especially given the competitive landscape in Bellingham's pharmacy sector.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Bellingham in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Bellingham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov