Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Ellensburg, WA: $27.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Ellensburg, WA runs $27.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,424 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Ellensburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,450 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ellensburg, Washington, pharmacy technicians earn a median hourly rate of $27.60, which significantly surpasses the national median of $23.19. For those working part-time—say three days a week—this translates to an annual income of approximately $34,272, a respectable amount for many individuals in the healthcare field. Per-diem positions, common in retail and hospital settings, offer a competitive hourly pay range from $22.75 at entry-level to as high as $34.44 for seasoned professionals. This variation provides flexibility for pharmacy technicians seeking diverse work settings, including IV sterile compounding areas and specialty pharmacies, while also reflecting the increasing demand for skilled workers in the field.
About the Ellensburg 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) | $22.75 | $182.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.21 | $185.66 |
| Median (P50) | $27.60 | $220.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.25 | $233.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.44 | $275.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ellensburg
Based on $27.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.60/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ellensburg, WA can expect to earn approximately $57,417 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,125. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ellensburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ellensburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,104.17 | $4,785 | $57,417 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $662.50 | $2,871 | $34,450 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $441.67 | $1,914 | $22,967 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Ellensburg) | $27.60 |
| 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 Ellensburg, WA earn a median of $57,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.04% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 4.60% below the Washington state average of $60,193.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.60/hr = $34,450/year (purchasing power: $32,076).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,417/year (purchasing power: $53,461).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Ellensburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Ellensburg grew 34.8% from $19.43/hr (2019) to $26.18/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.11/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 Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg
When examining the financial landscape, part-time pharmacy technicians working 24 hours a week could expect an annual take-home of around $34,272 compared to the nearly $57,424 of a full-time employee. Per diem roles often present varied earning potentials, with typical billing rates ranging from $20 to $32 per hour, and those in sterile compounding can command between $25 and $40 hourly. Travel contracts for pharmacy technicians, particularly for hospital settings facing workforce shortages, may offer lucrative weekly rates between $1,200 and $1,800. While retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens have experienced layoffs affecting their wage structures, many technicians accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits. Understanding these dynamics can empower pharmacy technicians in Ellensburg to navigate salary negotiations, ensuring they align their pay with their skills and the demanding industry standards.
More salary data for Ellensburg, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Ellensburg. 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 Ellensburg 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