Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Seattle, WA: $31.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Seattle, WA runs $31.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,656 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Seattle's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.1, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,792 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Seattle, WA, earn a median hourly rate of $31.08, significantly higher than the national median of $23.19. This impressive pay reflects the city's robust demand for pharmacy professionals across various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacy IV clean rooms, and specialty pharmacy compounding hoods. For part-time workers, such as those on a three-day workweek, this rate offers tangible benefits, allowing them to earn around $27,000 annually even while working reduced hours. With an hourly range from $24.34 for entry-level positions to $41.59 for seasoned professionals, pharmacy technicians can find various opportunities that align with their qualifications and experience levels.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.34 | $194.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.69 | $213.49 |
| Median (P50) | $31.08 | $248.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.01 | $296.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.59 | $332.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Seattle
Based on $31.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.08/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Seattle, WA can expect to earn approximately $64,654 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,300. With a cost-of-living index of 111.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Seattle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Seattle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,243.35 | $5,388 | $64,654 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $746.01 | $3,233 | $38,792 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $497.34 | $2,155 | $25,862 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Seattle) | $31.08 |
| 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 Seattle, WA earn a median of $64,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.03% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 7.40% above the Washington state average of $60,201.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.08/hr = $38,792/year (purchasing power: $34,906).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,654/year (purchasing power: $58,177).
CoL index: 111.133 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Seattle grew 37.1% from $21.50/hr (2019) to $29.48/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.77/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 Seattle 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 Seattle
Looking at the earning potential in Seattle reveals a dynamic environment for pharmacy technicians. Working part-time (24 hours per week) results in annual take-home pay of approximately $60,338, significantly bolstering income compared to a full-time salary. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Seattle varies widely; roles in sterile compounding can yield between $25 and $40 per hour, while standard per diem positions typically offer between $20 and $32 hourly. In addition, travel pharmacy tech contracts can command between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly in markets experiencing shortages. Employers span retail pharmacy chains, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and mail-order operations, each influencing salary structures. While hourly rates are attractive in some roles, many technicians opt for higher-paying positions that come with fewer benefits compared to those offering stability and health insurance. Understanding these trade-offs can guide pharmacy technicians as they negotiate their worth in Seattle's competitive market.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Seattle in 2026?
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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 Seattle. 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