Pharmacy Technician Salary in Washington, DC: $49,198 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Washington, DC earns a median $49,198/year (≈ $23.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $45,184 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.8% below the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Washington, DC, pharmacy technicians earn a median annual salary of $49,198, which slightly surpasses the national median of $48,239, highlighting local demand and competition in the healthcare sector. The salary range for these roles spans from $40,014 at the 10th percentile to $67,714 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse market where experience, certification, and workplace setting significantly influence compensation. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates, based on 2025 data projected to 2026, indicate that pharmacy technicians working in hospital sterile compounding environments generally enjoy the highest compensation, emphasizing a pay gradient when comparing different practice settings in the district.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,014 | $19.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,997 | $20.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,198 | $23.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,944 | $29.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,714 | $32.56 |
Median Salary Position
1.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,700 (2026 est.). At $49,198, the local median is 1.99% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Washington Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Washington median: $49,198/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $56,420 | -12.80% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +1.99% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Washington, DC earn a median of $49,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.99% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 12.80% below the District of Columbia state average of $56,420.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,198 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,184 — a 8.16% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,430
2025 BLS Actual
$46,660
2026 Current Est.
$49,198
2019–2027 Growth
+38.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,198 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,875 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 24.7% from $37,430 (2019) to $46,660 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,875 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,445 (38.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,014 – $41,997 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,997 – $49,198 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,198 – $60,944 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,944 – $67,714 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Washington
With 6,650 pharmacy technicians employed in Washington, the local job market continues to thrive, although the cost of living index of 108.884 indicates that salaries may not stretch as far as they would in less expensive areas. Compensation varies depending on the employer, with hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies typically providing the highest salaries, especially for those holding CSPT certification. Additional factors contributing to pay disparities include shift differentials for overnight or weekend hours, as well as responsibilities related to compounding and adherence to USP <797> and <800> standards. To maximize earning potential, aspiring pharmacy technicians in Washington should consider obtaining certifications, seeking positions in high-demand sectors, and remaining versatile in their roles to take advantage of varying job requirements and opportunities.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $46,660 for pharmacy techniciansin the Washington metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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