Pharmacy Technician Salary in Staunton, VA: $48,608 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Staunton, VA earns a median $48,608/year (≈ $23.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $53,340 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Staunton, Virginia, the 2026 median annual pharmacy technician salary is projected to be $48,608, which slightly exceeds the national median of $48,239. The salary range for pharmacy technicians in the area extends from $39,076 at the 10th percentile to $58,540 at the 90th percentile, a reflection of varying roles within the field. For pharmacy technicians working in hospital settings—especially those involved in sterile compounding—the pay tends to be higher compared to retail positions. This distinction highlights the value of specific credentials and the specialized skills that are often required for hospital environments, setting Staunton apart within the regional job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,076 | $18.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,099 | $19.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,608 | $23.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,864 | $24.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,540 | $28.14 |
Median Salary Position
0.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,464 (2026 est.). At $48,608, the local median is 0.76% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Staunton Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Staunton median: $48,608/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $46,161 | +5.30% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +0.76% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Staunton, VA earn a median of $48,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.76% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 5.30% above the Virginia state average of $46,161.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 91.128 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $48,608 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,340 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,460
2025 BLS Actual
$46,100
2026 Current Est.
$48,608
2019–2027 Growth
+62.9%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,608 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,252 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 46.5% from $31,460 (2019) to $46,100 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,252 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,792 (62.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $39,076 – $40,099 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,099 – $48,608 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,608 – $50,864 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,864 – $58,540 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Staunton
With 130 pharmacy technicians currently employed in Staunton, the local job market exhibits a robust demand that is sustained by a competitive growth rate of 5.44% annually. When assessing the cost of living, the city’s index of 91.128 indicates that the affordability of daily expenses is relatively lower compared to the national average. Consequently, this economic backdrop affects take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, inpatient hospital pharmacies tend to offer higher pay compared to retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. Factors such as the CSPT credential, shift differentials, and specific duties in sterile compounding all influence the wage variation. Pharmacy technicians aiming to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing additional certifications, targeting positions in hospital settings, and being flexible with shift availability, as these strategies could enhance their overall compensation in Staunton VA.
More salary data for Staunton, 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 $46,100 for pharmacy techniciansin the Staunton 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