Pharmacy Technician Salary in Lakewood, WA: $59,477 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Lakewood, WA earns a median $59,477/year (≈ $28.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $55,379 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, Washington, pharmacy technicians are projected to earn a median annual salary of $59,477 in 2026, which is significantly above the national median of $48,239. These local estimates reveal a range between $44,479 at the lower end (P10) and $80,710 at the higher end (P90), reflecting the varied salary possibilities based on skills, experience, and work settings. Pharmacy technicians with advanced credentials, such as the CSPT in sterile compounding, can command higher rates, enhancing the overall earning potential in this role. The salary projections are based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, illustrating a competitive market for pharmacy technician pay in Lakewood, WA, especially in comparison to many other cities.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,479 | $21.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,568 | $24.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,477 | $28.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,066 | $31.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,710 | $38.80 |
Median Salary Position
23.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, WA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,231 (2026 est.). At $59,477, the local median is 23.3% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $59,477/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $60,199 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +23.30% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Lakewood, WA earn a median of $59,477 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.30% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $60,199.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,477 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,379 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,859
2025 BLS Actual
$56,408
2026 Current Est.
$59,477
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,859 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,277 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,299 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,594 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,688 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,181 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,477 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,712 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $41,859 (2019) to $56,408 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,712 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,853 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $44,479 – $50,568 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,568 – $59,477 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,477 – $66,066 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,066 – $80,710 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Lakewood
The job market for pharmacy technicians in Lakewood is firmly established, with 14 professionals currently employed in the area. A cost-of-living index of 107.4 suggests that residents face slightly above-average living expenses, impacting take-home pay. The highest-paying opportunities are generally found within hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, highlighting the significance of work setting. Retail chains like CVS and Walgreens can provide competitive salaries, but the growth in pay often depends on certifications, shift differentials, and experience levels. Maximizing pharmacy technician pay in Lakewood WA may require pursuing CSPT credentials, considering roles in hospitals or specialty settings, and negotiating for pay differentials, particularly for night or weekend shifts. Given the current hiring trends and ongoing demand for pharmacy services, there are numerous avenues for growth within this field in Lakewood.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $56,408 for pharmacy techniciansin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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