Pharmacy Technician Salary in Des Moines, WA: $59,639 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Des Moines, WA earns a median $59,639/year (≈ $28.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $55,530 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a pharmacy technician salary in Des Moines, Washington is projected to reach a median of $59,639, significantly outpacing the national median of $48,239 by approximately 23.63%. The salary range for pharmacy technicians in this area spans from $48,026 at the 10th percentile to $77,531 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse compensation opportunities based on experience and specialization. These figures are derived from estimated state-level data and regional cost adjustments, reflecting the competitive landscape for pharmacy technicians in Des Moines, particularly for those who hold additional credentials such as the CSPT certification. The local job market has been shaped by a chronic shortage of skilled professionals and growing demand, offering a promising outlook for current and aspiring pharmacy technicians.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,026 | $23.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,548 | $23.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,639 | $28.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,652 | $31.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,531 | $37.27 |
Median Salary Position
23.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,505 (2026 est.). At $59,639, the local median is 23.63% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $59,639/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $60,181 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +23.63% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $59,639 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.63% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $60,181.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,639 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,530 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,973
2025 BLS Actual
$56,562
2026 Current Est.
$59,639
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,973 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,395 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,423 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,721 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,824 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,332 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,562 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,639 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,883 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $41,973 (2019) to $56,562 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,883 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,910 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $48,026 – $49,548 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,548 – $59,639 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,639 – $64,652 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,652 – $77,531 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Des Moines
The pharmacy technician pay in Des Moines, WA benefits from a cost-of-living index of 107.4, signaling that living expenses are slightly above the national average. With only seven pharmacy technicians currently employed in the area, the opportunities may appear limited, but several employers tend to offer higher wages based on their operational focus. Positions in hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies often provide the highest compensation, surpassing typical retail pharmacy roles from major chains like CVS and Walgreens. Factors contributing to the wage variability include the setting in which technicians work, with hospital roles in sterile compounding (aligning with USP <797> and <800> standards) commanding premium pay compared to retail positions. Additional strategies to maximize pay in this market include pursuing certifications and seeking positions with overnight shifts or those that offer lead pay, which can further enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
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 $56,562 for pharmacy techniciansin the Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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