Pharmacy Technician Salary in Roanoke, VA: $43,441 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Roanoke, VA earns a median $43,441/year (≈ $20.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Roanoke's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $46,402 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Roanoke, Virginia, pharmacy technicians can anticipate a median salary of $43,441 in 2026, representing a slight decline compared to the national median of $48,239. Salary ranges for pharmacy technicians in the area are diverse, extending from $37,220 at the 10th percentile to $57,222 at the 90th percentile, providing opportunities for varied financial outcomes based on experience and specialization. The data presented stems from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting projected salary trends for the coming year. For those holding the CSPT certification, which demonstrates proficiency in sterile compounding, the potential for higher compensation becomes evident, indicating an increasing demand for skilled technicians in both retail and hospital settings throughout Roanoke.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,443 | $18.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,441 | $20.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,507 | $24.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,222 | $27.51 |
Median Salary Position
9.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roanoke
In Roanoke, VA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,002 (2026 est.). At $43,441, the local median is 9.95% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Roanoke: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Roanoke Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Roanoke median: $43,441/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roanoke Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $46,165 | -5.90% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -9.95% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Roanoke, VA earn a median of $43,441 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.95% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 5.90% below the Virginia state average of $46,165.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roanoke has a cost of living 6.38% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Roanoke, VA has a cost-of-living index of 93.618 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $43,441 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,402 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.82% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,180
2025 BLS Actual
$41,200
2026 Current Est.
$43,441
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Roanoke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,441 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,804 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roanoke metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 28.0% from $32,180 (2019) to $41,200 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,804 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,624 (42.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roanoke 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) | $37,220 – $38,443 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,443 – $43,441 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,441 – $51,507 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,507 – $57,222 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Roanoke
The local job market is robust, with approximately 530 pharmacy technicians currently employed in Roanoke. A cost-of-living index of 93.618 suggests that while salaries for pharmacy technicians may lag slightly behind national averages, the lower cost of living provides a favorable context for overall purchasing power. Employers such as hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies typically offer higher wages compared to traditional retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. Variations in pay are influenced by several factors, including the setting of employment, shift differentials, and the presence of certification premiums. To maximize earning potential in Roanoke, pharmacy technicians should consider pursuing additional certifications like CSPT, exploring opportunities in high-demand settings such as sterile compounding, and being open to night or weekend shifts that often come with added pay.
More salary data for Roanoke, 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 $41,200 for pharmacy techniciansin the Roanoke 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