Four out of the five top-paying metropolitan areas for Pharmacy Technicians are in California. The average national wage rate is $13.70 an hour, but the hourly range for the top five metropolitan areas is $18.24 in Santa Cruz to $20.51 in San Francisco. The annual mean wage distribution among the top five metro areas is actually fairly tight with Pharmacy Technician salaries ranging from $37,950 to $42,660 for a 12% difference. Clearly the pay range for Pharmacy Technicians working in large metropolitan areas can be expected to be more than the average for all employees.
When seeking employment, your chances of success are increased by looking in those areas with high employment numbers. For example, the Tacoma area employs 620 Pharmacy Technicians, while the Oakland area employs 1,860 technicians.
This chart displays annual mean salaries for Pharmacy Technicians in the U.S. The data was collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics OES - May 2008.
How much does a pharmacy technician make? When considering this question, keep in mind that wages for Pharmacy Technicians are determined by location, years of experience, education level and certifications. Though this occupation does not require an advanced degree beyond high school, those who get formal training can command higher pay.
There are many schools available that offer Pharmacy Technician programs leading to a certificate or an associate’s degree. In addition to the formal education, higher paid Pharmacy Technicians also obtain certification through a recognized certifying organization. These organizations include the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians. States usually require registration also.
Related Charts for Pharmacy Technician Salaries:
Pharmacy Technician Pay Scale - Metropolitan Areas
Pharmacy Technician Salaries - Top Paying U.S. States
Pharmacy Technician Salary Ranges - Top Paying Industries
The bar graph above shows the metropolitan areas with the highest pay for pharmacy technicians. You may see the data in the table below with exact figures:
| City |
Annual Mean Wage |
|---|
| San Francisco Area, CA |
42,660 |
| San Jose Area, CA |
40,110 |
| Oakland Area, CA |
40,030 |
| Tacoma Area, WA |
38,440 |
| Santa Cruz Area, CA |
37,950 |
Salaries are often dependent on overall population needs and the cost of living. Since these are average (mean) salary ranges, you can gain a higher salary with more education and skills. Your exact background will play a role in your income.
