Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Covington, WA: $27.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Covington, WA runs $27.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,510 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Covington's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,911 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Covington, Washington, earn a median hourly rate of $27.17, significantly higher than the national median of $23.19. This discrepancy benefits both part-time workers, who often schedule around three days a week, and per-diem staff who can adapt their hours based on demand. For a pharmacy technician working part-time with a typical 24-hour weekly schedule, this could translate into an annual income well above many positions in the region, particularly in settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital sterile compounding environments, and specialty pharmacy compounding hoods. The hourly pay range in Covington runs from $21.65 at the entry-level (P10) to $34.63 for top earners (P90), presenting promising financial opportunities for both new entrants and experienced professionals in this field.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.65 | $173.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.23 | $185.83 |
| Median (P50) | $27.17 | $217.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.32 | $234.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.63 | $277.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Covington
Based on $27.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.17/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Covington, WA can expect to earn approximately $56,518 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,606. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Covington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Covington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,086.88 | $4,710 | $56,518 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $652.13 | $2,826 | $33,911 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $434.75 | $1,884 | $22,607 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Covington) | $27.17 |
| 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 Covington, WA earn a median of $56,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.15% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 6.10% below the Washington state average of $60,181.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.17/hr = $33,911/year (purchasing power: $31,574).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,518/year (purchasing power: $52,623).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Covington grew 34.8% from $19.12/hr (2019) to $25.77/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.65/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 Covington 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 Covington
When examining the potential earnings of a pharmacy technician who works part-time versus those who dive into per-diem assignments or agency roles, substantial differences arise. A technician working 3 days a week might take home around $33,570 annually based on the median hourly rate, whereas per-diem pharmacy technicians typically bill between $20 and $32 per hour, with hospital sterile compounding roles commanding even higher pay at $25 to $40 per hour. Opportunities abound for travel pharmacy technician contracts, particularly in high-demand roles, yielding weekly earnings of $1,200 to $1,800. The variety of employer types in Covington—from retail chains like CVS and Walgreens to specialized facilities such as long-term care pharmacies—can influence hourly pay perspectives. Technicians may also grapple with the trade-off between lower hourly rates in positions with benefits versus higher rates in roles lacking such perks. For those negotiating pay in Covington, emphasizing compliance with USP <797> and <800> standards can be advantageous, particularly when aiming for positions with elevated pay scales in sterile compounding settings.
More salary data for Covington, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Covington 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 Covington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Covington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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