Pharmacy Technician Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $58,220 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Lake Stevens, WA earns a median $58,220/year (≈ $27.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Lake Stevens's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $54,209 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Lake Stevens, WA, can expect a median annual salary of $58,220 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay level that is approximately 20.69% higher than the national average. The salary spectrum ranges from $49,349 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $72,939 at the upper end (90th percentile), based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity. The compensation structure illustrates the city’s favorable position for pharmacy technicians, particularly with the potential for additional earnings from shift differentials and overnight retail premiums. As the demand for skilled technicians continues to grow, Lake Stevens offers a promising job market for individuals pursuing this career.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,349 | $23.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,336 | $24.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,440 | $29.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,939 | $35.07 |
Median Salary Position
20.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Stevens
In Lake Stevens, WA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,590 (2026 est.). At $58,220, the local median is 20.69% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Stevens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Stevens Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Lake Stevens median: $58,220/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Stevens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $60,207 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +20.69% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Lake Stevens, WA earn a median of $58,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.69% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $60,207.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Stevens has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Stevens, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,220 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,209 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,974
2025 BLS Actual
$55,216
2026 Current Est.
$58,220
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,974 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,362 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,342 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,609 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,638 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,014 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,216 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,220 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,387 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Stevens metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $40,974 (2019) to $55,216 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,413 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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) | $49,349 – $50,336 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,336 – $58,220 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,220 – $61,440 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,440 – $72,939 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Lake Stevens
Focusing on the employment landscape, only nine pharmacy technicians work in Lake Stevens currently, indicating a relatively small yet stable job market. The cost of living index stands at 107.4, which means that while salaries are relatively healthy, the higher living expenses can impact purchasing power. Employers in the area range from major retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens to specialized healthcare institutions. Typically, pharmacy technicians in hospital settings—particularly those involved in sterile compounding compliant with USP <797> and <800> regulations—earn the highest wages. The factors influencing pay vary significantly, with additional compensation available for certifications such as the CSPT, as well as for working night shifts. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing advanced certifications and focusing on roles in higher-paying environments will be crucial strategies in the Lake Stevens job market.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, 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 $55,216 for pharmacy techniciansin the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens 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