Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Olympia, WA: $28.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Olympia, WA runs $28.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,196 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Olympia's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.7, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,121 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Olympia, Washington, the pharmacy technician hourly pay is projected to reach $28.94 in 2026, well above the national median of $23.19. This notable difference implies that local pharmacy technicians can expect better compensation, particularly beneficial for those working part-time or in per-diem roles. For example, a pharmacy technician on a typical three-day work schedule could earn approximately $1,050 weekly, which supports a solid standard of living in this cost-of-living-adjusted city. With entry-level positions starting at $23.46 and experienced professionals earning up to $36.88, there's a clear progression in earning potential within various settings, such as retail pharmacies and hospital pharmacies. Official BLS data further illustrates that while working in areas like IV clean rooms or automation systems may offer higher pay, those entry points provide valuable experience toward a lucrative career.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.46 | $187.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.07 | $192.58 |
| Median (P50) | $28.94 | $231.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.15 | $273.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.88 | $295.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Olympia
Based on $28.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.94/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Olympia, WA can expect to earn approximately $60,202 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,732. With a cost-of-living index of 103.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Olympia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Olympia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,157.73 | $5,017 | $60,202 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $694.64 | $3,010 | $36,121 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.09 | $2,007 | $24,081 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Olympia) | $28.94 |
| 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 Olympia, WA earn a median of $60,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.79% higher than the national median of $48,239.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.94/hr = $36,121/year (purchasing power: $34,842).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,202/year (purchasing power: $58,071).
CoL index: 103.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Olympia grew 26.2% from $21.75/hr (2019) to $27.45/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.52/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 Olympia 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 Olympia
When examining part-time earnings, a pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week can expect to take home nearly $52,000 annually, emphasizing the income potential in this role. Per diem pharmacy technicians—often billing between $20 to $32 per hour—have the opportunity to earn more, especially in high-demand environments such as hospital sterile compounding, where rates range from $25 to $40 per hour. Travel pharmacy tech contracts can elevate earning potential significantly, with weekly pay reaching between $1,200 and $1,800. Employer-type also influences hourly rates; retail chains might offer lower wages compared to specialty pharmacies or hospitals, where sterile compounding skills are highly sought after. While some techs may opt for positions with higher pay (but no benefits), others may pursue stability through roles that offer health insurance. To negotiate effectively in Olympia, pharmacy technicians should research industry standards, highlight relevant certifications like the CSPT, and consider the benefits of securing positions that align with their financial and lifestyle goals.
More salary data for Olympia, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Olympia in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Olympia?
Are pharmacy technicians in Olympia paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Olympia?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Olympia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 Olympia. 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