Pharmacy Technician Salary in Reading, PA: $38,865 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Reading, PA earns a median $38,865/year (≈ $18.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Reading's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $40,042 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reading, Pennsylvania, the estimated median pharmacy technician salary in 2026 is projected at $38,865, which reflects a significant gap of approximately 19.43% below the national median of $48,239. Salary ranges for pharmacy technicians in the area vary considerably from $36,008 at the 10th percentile to $54,829 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse pay opportunities based on experience, certification, and work setting. This data is rooted in 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys and provides insight into the local job market, which is characterized by varied employer types including retail pharmacy chains and hospital settings. Given the increasing demand for pharmacy technicians post-2020, particularly in specialized roles, these salary figures may reflect the competitive environment in Reading for attracting and retaining qualified staff.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,008 | $17.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,978 | $17.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,865 | $18.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,545 | $23.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,829 | $26.36 |
Median Salary Position
19.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reading
In Reading, PA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,821 (2026 est.). At $38,865, the local median is 19.43% below the national median of $48,239.
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At 40 hours/week in Reading: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Reading Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Reading median: $38,865/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reading Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $39,537 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -19.43% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Reading, PA earn a median of $38,865 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.43% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.70% below the Pennsylvania state average of $39,537.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reading has a cost of living 2.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reading, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $38,865 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,042 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,690
2025 BLS Actual
$36,860
2026 Current Est.
$38,865
2019–2027 Growth
+42.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,865 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,979 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reading metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 28.5% from $28,690 (2019) to $36,860 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,979 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,289 (42.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reading 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) | $36,008 – $36,978 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,978 – $38,865 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,865 – $48,545 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,545 – $54,829 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Reading
The Reading area employs around 410 pharmacy technicians, underscoring a robust local job market. The cost-of-living index of 97.06 indicates that while salaries are lower than the national average, they may still provide reasonable purchasing power in the community. Retail chains like CVS and Walgreens often offer competitive wages, especially with additional compensation for overnight shifts and specific certifications like CSPT, particularly in areas like sterile compounding. The disparity in pay is influenced by the work setting, certifications, and demand for skilled technicians, with hospital roles typically commanding higher wages due to the complexities involved. Those looking to maximize their pharmacy technician pay in Reading, PA, should consider pursuing advanced certifications, seeking opportunities in higher-paying environments, and being flexible with shift work, as these factors can greatly enhance earning potential in this dynamic job market.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
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
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 $36,860 for pharmacy techniciansin the Reading 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