Pharmacy Technician Salary in Washington: $62,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacy technician pay sits at $62,763/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2052. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $58,439 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellevue ($61,921), Seattle ($61,320), Tacoma ($60,297).
In Washington, the projected average median salary for pharmacy technicians in 2026 is $62,763, significantly higher than the national median of $48,239, representing a difference of 30.1%. The range of salaries across the state reflects local economic conditions, with Bellevue offering the highest average at $65,290, while Yakima presents the lowest at $54,122 — a gap of $11,168. Factors influencing these differences include the cost of living, local demand for pharmaceutical services, and the presence of major healthcare facilities. Washington has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact technician responsibilities and salary levels. The demand for pharmacy technicians is driven by a growing population and an expanding healthcare sector, contributing to an annual growth rate of 5.44% through 2026. Major metro areas like Seattle ($64,656), Tacoma ($63,577), Bremerton ($62,610), and Vancouver ($62,175) also reflect competitive salaries for pharmacy technicians. Overall, with a total employment of 7,474 technicians, the job market in Washington appears strong, suggesting favorable conditions for those considering a career in this field.
Washington Pharmacy Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $41,543 (lowest entry-level) to $91,936 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington pharmacy technicians earn 30.11% more than the national median (+$14,524/year difference).
Washington Pharmacy Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacy Technician salaries in Washington range from $49,417 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,737 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,763. The Washington median is $14,524 above the US national median of $48,239. The average hourly rate is $30.17/hr. Approximately 7,474 pharmacy technicians are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,151
2025 BLS Actual
$59,525
2026 Current Est.
$62,763
2019–2027 Growth
+49.9%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,151 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,762 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,956 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,097 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,744 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,198 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,525 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,178 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $44,151 (2019) to $59,525 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,178 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,027 (49.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Yakima | $54,122 |
| Tukwila | $55,640 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $55,726 |
| Covington | $56,510 |
| Kenmore | $56,514 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacy Technicians in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacy technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longview | $61,419 | 97.545 | $62,965 |
| Walla Walla | $60,301 | 98.519 | $61,207 |
| Bellevue | $65,290 | 107.4 | $60,791 |
| Spokane | $60,976 | 100.346 | $60,766 |
| Bremerton | $62,610 | 105.607 | $59,286 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,417 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,763 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,737 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue | $65,290 |
| 2 | Seattle | $64,656 |
| 3 | Tacoma | $63,577 |
| 4 | Bremerton | $62,610 |
| 5 | Vancouver | $62,175 |
| 6 | Spokane Valley | $62,149 |
| 7 | Renton | $61,768 |
| 8 | Longview | $61,419 |
| 9 | Everett | $61,170 |
| 10 | Spokane | $60,976 |
| 11 | Tumwater | $60,747 |
| 12 | Marysville | $60,711 |
| 13 | Shoreline | $60,378 |
| 14 | Walla Walla | $60,301 |
| 15 | Olympia | $60,196 |
| 16 | Redmond | $60,140 |
| 17 | Kent | $60,090 |
| 18 | Kirkland | $59,992 |
| 19 | Burien | $59,915 |
| 20 | Lacey | $59,702 |
| 21 | Wenatchee | $59,679 |
| 22 | Federal Way | $59,653 |
| 23 | Des Moines | $59,639 |
| 24 | Auburn | $59,501 |
| 25 | Lakewood | $59,477 |
| 26 | Issaquah | $59,443 |
| 27 | Bellingham | $59,057 |
| 28 | Sammamish | $59,053 |
| 29 | University Place | $59,032 |
| 30 | SeaTac | $58,985 |
| 31 | Mount Vernon | $58,825 |
| 32 | Pasco | $58,733 |
| 33 | Edmonds | $58,374 |
| 34 | Lake Stevens | $58,220 |
| 35 | Richland | $58,200 |
| 36 | Lynnwood | $58,182 |
| 37 | Moses Lake | $58,070 |
| 38 | Bothell | $58,028 |
| 39 | Pullman | $57,771 |
| 40 | Puyallup | $57,640 |
| 41 | Ellensburg | $57,424 |
| 42 | Maple Valley | $57,267 |
| 43 | Camas | $57,122 |
| 44 | Kennewick | $57,011 |
| 45 | Oak Harbor | $56,881 |
| 46 | Kenmore | $56,514 |
| 47 | Covington | $56,510 |
| 48 | Mountlake Terrace | $55,726 |
| 49 | Tukwila | $55,640 |
| 50 | Yakima | $54,122 |
More Washington Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacy technicians.
Compare Cities in Washington
View all comparisons →Explore More Pharmacy Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacy technicians in Washington?
How does Washington pharmacy technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacy technician salary in Washington?
How many pharmacy technicians are employed in Washington?
Which Washington city offers the best value for pharmacy technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacy technician compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacy technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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