Pharmacy Technician Salary in Falls Church, VA: $42,564 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Falls Church, VA earns a median $42,564/year (≈ $20.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Falls Church's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $41,244 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Falls Church, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $42,564 in 2026, which is approximately 11.76% lower than the national median of $48,239. The salary range for these roles extends from $36,245 at the 10th percentile to $52,925 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations in experience levels and types of employment. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities. Falls Church's job market is characterized by both retail and inpatient pharmacy settings, with shift differentials, especially for overnight roles, significantly augmenting overall earnings potential.
About the Falls Church Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,245 | $17.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,969 | $17.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,564 | $20.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,991 | $21.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,925 | $25.44 |
Median Salary Position
11.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Falls Church
In Falls Church, VA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,680 (2026 est.). At $42,564, the local median is 11.76% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Falls Church: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Falls Church Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Falls Church median: $42,564/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Falls Church Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $46,165 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -11.76% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Falls Church, VA earn a median of $42,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.76% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 7.80% below the Virginia state average of $46,165.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Falls Church has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Falls Church, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $42,564 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $41,244 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,956
2025 BLS Actual
$40,368
2026 Current Est.
$42,564
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Falls Church (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,956 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,971 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,418 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,344 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,559 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,063 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,368 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,564 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,880 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Falls Church metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $29,956 (2019) to $40,368 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,880 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,924 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Falls Church 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) | $36,245 – $36,969 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,969 – $42,564 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,564 – $44,991 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,991 – $52,925 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Falls Church
In Falls Church, 5 pharmacy technicians are currently employed, a number that highlights the local job market's modest size. The cost-of-living index stands at 103.2, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average, which may impact purchasing power for those in the field. Local employers like CVS, Walgreens, and hospital pharmacy chains provide varying salary potentials, with inpatient pharmacies generally offering higher compensation due to the complexities of roles such as sterile compounding, which complies with USP <797> and <800> standards. Factors influencing pay disparities include certification stipends, shift differentials, and the differences in wage scales between retail chains and hospital settings. To enhance potential earnings, pharmacy technicians in Falls Church should consider obtaining certifications like the CSPT and pursuing roles in higher-paying environments, thereby leveraging their expertise in a competitive job landscape.
More salary data for Falls Church, 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 $40,368 for pharmacy techniciansin the Falls Church 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
Salary data for Falls Church 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