Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Puyallup, WA: $27.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Puyallup, WA runs $27.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,640 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Puyallup's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,582 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Puyallup, Washington, pharmacy technicians are experiencing a favorable hourly pay scale, with a median rate of $27.71. This figure surpasses the national median of $23.19, indicating a robust wage environment for pharmacy techs in the region. In practical terms, this range allows for substantial earnings for part-time employees working three days a week across various settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, and specialty compounding areas. Entry-level technicians can expect to earn around $23.15 hourly, while more experienced professionals at the top of the scale can command approximately $35.89 per hour. These figures are drawn from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data, offering a clear picture of the potential financial landscape for pharmacy technicians in Puyallup.
About the Puyallup 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) | $23.15 | $185.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.62 | $188.95 |
| Median (P50) | $27.71 | $221.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.56 | $244.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.89 | $287.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Puyallup
Based on $27.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.71/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Puyallup, WA can expect to earn approximately $57,636 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,252. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Puyallup.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Puyallup
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,108.39 | $4,803 | $57,636 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $665.03 | $2,882 | $34,582 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $443.35 | $1,921 | $23,054 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Puyallup) | $27.71 |
| 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 Puyallup, WA earn a median of $57,640 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.49% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 4.20% below the Washington state average of $60,167.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.71/hr = $34,582/year (purchasing power: $32,199).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,636/year (purchasing power: $53,665).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Puyallup (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Puyallup grew 34.8% from $19.50/hr (2019) to $26.28/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.22/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 Puyallup 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 Puyallup
Considering the earning potential for part-time workers, a pharmacy technician putting in 24 hours weekly could take home around $34,489 annually. In contrast, those pursuing per-diem opportunities could see pay rates between $20 and $32 per hour for general roles, increasing to $25-$40 for hospital sterile compounding technician positions. Many pharmacy techs make the choice to accept lower hourly rates at retail chains to secure benefits like health insurance, while others may favor higher hourly rates in settings eager for skilled staff. Hourly rates do vary notably across employers, with retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens offering different compensation compared to long-term care and specialty pharmacies. As a result, it's wise for pharmacy technicians to consider negotiating their pay based on employer type and required certifications, especially as industry demands continue to evolve.
More salary data for Puyallup, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Puyallup. 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 Puyallup 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