Pharmacy Technician Salary in Blacksburg, VA: $42,714 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Blacksburg, VA earns a median $42,714/year (≈ $20.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Blacksburg's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $46,073 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Blacksburg, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $42,714, which is notably lower than the national median of $48,239. The projected salary range for this role spans from $36,704 at the 10th percentile to $52,066 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available within the local market. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting a significant pay gradient between retail pharmacy positions and those in hospital sterile compounding settings. The disparity between these two sectors is driven by various factors, including certification requirements and the specialized nature of compounding work, which commands higher pay due to increased responsibilities and compliance standards such as USP <797> and <800>.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,704 | $17.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,538 | $18.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,714 | $20.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,703 | $23.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,066 | $25.03 |
Median Salary Position
11.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Blacksburg
In Blacksburg, VA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,362 (2026 est.). At $42,714, the local median is 11.45% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Blacksburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Blacksburg Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Blacksburg median: $42,714/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Blacksburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $46,177 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -11.45% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Blacksburg, VA earn a median of $42,714 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.45% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 7.50% below the Virginia state average of $46,177.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Blacksburg has a cost of living 7.29% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Blacksburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 92.71 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $42,714 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,073 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,130
2025 BLS Actual
$40,510
2026 Current Est.
$42,714
2019–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Blacksburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,714 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,037 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Blacksburg metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.5% from $30,130 (2019) to $40,510 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,037 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,907 (49.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Blacksburg 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) | $36,704 – $38,538 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,538 – $42,714 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,714 – $48,703 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,703 – $52,066 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Blacksburg
Analyzing the job market, Blacksburg currently employs around 230 pharmacy technicians, indicating a modest demand for this profession. The area's cost of living index stands at 92.71, which is below the national average, suggesting that the purchasing power for these salaries may be somewhat favorable compared to other regions. In terms of the highest-paying employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies tend to offer better compensation than retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, particularly for those holding certifications like CSPT. Factors contributing to the wage spread include shift differentials, lead pay, and the distinct wage structures of retail versus hospital environments. To maximize potential pay in this specific market, technicians should pursue relevant certifications, seek roles in high-demand settings such as hospitals or specialty pharmacies, and consider positions that offer additional incentives such as overnight shifts or clinical responsibilities.
More salary data for Blacksburg, VA:
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 $40,510 for pharmacy techniciansin the Blacksburg 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