Pharmacy Technician Salary in Tacoma, WA: $63,577 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Tacoma, WA earns a median $63,577/year (≈ $30.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Tacoma's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $59,196 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tacoma, Washington, pharmacy technicians can anticipate a competitive median salary of $63,577 in 2026, significantly higher than the national average of $48,239. Predicted salary ranges from the 10th percentile at $48,637 to the 90th percentile at $90,845 reflect the diverse roles and responsibilities found within the field. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, particularly emphasizing cost-of-living adjustments, highlight the value placed on pharmacy technicians in this region. The city’s job market benefits from a combination of factors, including demand for skilled professionals and the impact that evening and overnight shifts have on overall compensation, creating appealing opportunities for those willing to work non-traditional hours.
About the Tacoma Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,637 | $23.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,656 | $24.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,577 | $30.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,664 | $34.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,845 | $43.67 |
Median Salary Position
31.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tacoma
In Tacoma, WA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,208 (2026 est.). At $63,577, the local median is 31.8% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tacoma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tacoma Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Tacoma median: $63,577/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tacoma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $60,206 | +5.60% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +31.80% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Tacoma, WA earn a median of $63,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.80% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 5.60% above the Washington state average of $60,206.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tacoma has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tacoma, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,577 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,196 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,745
2025 BLS Actual
$60,297
2026 Current Est.
$63,577
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Tacoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,745 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,261 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,422 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,806 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,114 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,564 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,297 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,577 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,036 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tacoma metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $44,745 (2019) to $60,297 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,036 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,291 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tacoma 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) | $48,637 – $51,656 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,656 – $63,577 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,577 – $72,664 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,664 – $90,845 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Tacoma
Currently, there are 56 pharmacy technicians employed in Tacoma, reflecting both local demand and the competitive nature of the job market. With a cost-of-living index at 107.4, pharmacy technicians need to be strategic about their earning potential to maintain purchasing power. Employers like retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens offer competitive pay, but hospital settings, especially those involving sterile compounding compliant with USP <797> and <800>, generally provide the highest salaries. Factors driving the pay distribution include certifications such as CSPT and differences in wage scales between retail and hospital environments. Considering the growth rate of 5.44%, pursuing additional certifications and seeking positions that offer shift differentials can significantly enhance earning potential for pharmacy technicians in Tacoma, WA.
More salary data for Tacoma, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Tacoma?
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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 $60,297 for pharmacy techniciansin the Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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