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50 Cities Where Pharmacy Technicians Earn the Highest Salary
A Pharmacy Technician, on an average earns about $15.90 per hour. They work for independent pharmacies or pharmaceutical departments of drug stores; they may also be employed at clinics and hospitals. According to the BLS, in 2017, pharmacy technicians earned an average annual salary of $33,060. The best-paid earned $46,980, while the lowest-paid earned $22,000. Pharmacy technicians are supervised by licensed pharmacists and are responsible for preparing prescriptions for patients. A host of factors affect a pharmacy technician's salary - the level of experience, education, certification, location, type of job, and employer. Location plays a very important role in determining how much you will earn.
To help you get an idea about the best paying cities we have created a list of 50 cities where pharmacy technicians earn the highest salary.
1. San Francisco, CA
City Population: 870,887
Employment: 3,580
| San Francisco Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $29,530 |
| Experienced | $72,310 |
| Average | $48,500 |
On an average, a pharmacy technician in San Francisco can expect a salary of $48,500 annually, which is above average in comparison with other cities. CVS Health, Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, Seton Medical Center and Walgreens are big recruiters. What's more, taking into account the current pharmacy technician salary figures, you can definitely conclude that after your pharmacy tech training program you are assured healthy job prospects as well as a wonderful salary to go with the job.
2. Seattle, WA
City Population: 704,352
Employment: 4,110
| Seattle Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $32,650 |
| Experienced | $55,800 |
| Average | $43,200 |
The average salary for a pharmacy technician in Seattle is $43,200. The city promises an outstanding opportunity for full-time as well as part-time pharmacy techs, providing 4,110 jobs. It is a fantastic blend of a high pay packet and high concentration of job offers. You can expect to be employed at - Walgreens, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle Children's, Pay Less Drug and Multicare Health System.
3. Sacramento, CA
City Population: 4,95,234
Employment: 2,320
| Sacramento Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $28,200 |
| Experienced | $59,990 |
| Average | $42,100 |
In Sacramento, the pharmacy tech position provides individuals with an opportunity to work in leading retail pharmacy outlets and hospital-settings, such as - Pharmerica, Safeway, Raleys, Target and Kaiser Permanente. On an average, a pharmacy tech in Sacramento can expect to earn $42,100 per annum. Also, the cost of living is fairly reasonable here.
4. Portland, OR
City Population: 639,863
Employment: 2,860
| Portland Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $29,790 |
| Experienced | $49,250 |
| Average | $38,830 |
Providence Health and Services, CVS Health and Oregon Health and Science University will provide you with excellent job opportunities. You can look forward to an average annual salary of $38,830 and a realistic cost of living.
5. Los Angeles, CA
City Population: 3,976,322
Employment: 12,670
| Los Angeles Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $24,550 |
| Experienced | $55,590 |
| Average | $37,930 |
LA has a high cost of living; on the other hand, the number of pharmacy technicians employed is high too - 12,670. The estimated average earnings per year are $37,930 and recruiters include - Children's Hospital, CVS Health, Veteran's Affair and California's Rehabilitation Institute.
6. Riverside, CA
City Population: 324,722
Employment: 3,450
| Riverside Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,190 |
| Experienced | $52,050 |
| Average | $37,120 |
Riverside, the 4th city in California, on the list has great job prospects too. The number of pharmacy technicians employed here is fairly high. On an average, here, in Riverside you will earn $37,120 annually.
7. Minneapolis, MN
City Population: 413,651
Employment: 4,690
| Minneapolis Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,180 |
| Experienced | $49,320 |
| Average | $36,910 |
Low cost of living with good employment opportunities makes Minneapolis a desirable place for pharma techs. The number of technicians working at hospitals and retail outlets is high - 4,690. They make $36,910 annually.
8. San Diego, CA
City Population: 1,406,630
Employment: 3,180
| San Diego Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $20,960 |
| Experienced | $52,280 |
| Average | $36,180 |
San Diego is the 5th city in California to make it to the list. The average salary is $36,180 and Veterans Affair, Scripps Mercy, and Walgreens provide a large number of openings.
9. Salt Lake City, UT
City Population: 193,744
Employment: 1,900
| Salt Lake City Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $26,730 |
| Experienced | $47,160 |
| Average | $36,010 |
With a good location quotient and a reasonable cost of living, Salt Lake City is a wonderful place for pharmacy technicians to be employed. Annually, you can expect $36,010.
10. Denver, CO
City Population: 693,060
Employment: 2,870
| Denver Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,350 |
| Experienced | $48,040 |
| Average | $35,820 |
Denver Health, CVS Health and National Jewish Health offer enormous opportunities to full-time seekers. Denver promises $35,820 per year and the concentration of pharmacy techs in the city is fairly good too.
11. Las Vegas, NV
City Population: 632,912
Employment: 2,630
| Las Vegas Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,350 |
| Experienced | $48,900 |
| Average | $35,620 |
One Point Patient Care, Walgreens, Option Care, and Smith's Food and Drug are huge recruiters. $35,620 is what you can hope to earn per year. Las Vega employs about 2,630 pharmacy technicians at a respectable salary and comparatively low cost of living.
12. Houston, TX
City Population: 2,303,482
Employment: 8,170
| Houston Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $23,970 |
| Experienced | $45,960 |
| Average | $34,530 |
Houston offers a high concentration of pharmacy tech jobs along with a low cost of living. You can look ahead to a salary of $34,530 annually and expect gainful employment with Texas Children's Hospital, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Woman's Hospital of Texas.
13. Boston, MA
City Population: 673,184
Employment: 6,470
| Boston Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,170 |
| Experienced | $49,0400 |
| Average | $34,150 |
Boston offers an average salary of $34,150 and has a low cost of living. The number of openings is high, with around 6,470 pharmacy technicians being employed in the city.
14. San Antonio, TX
City Population: 1,492,510
Employment: 2,750
| San Antonio Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $24,150 |
| Experienced | $45,370 |
| Average | $34,150 |
San Antonia has a location quotient of 1.06, which is considered practically high; also, the cost of living is manageably low and you will earn a pay packet of $33,820 annually.
15. Washington, DC
City Population: 681,170
Employment: 5,640
| Washington Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,190 |
| Experienced | $48,430 |
| Average | $33,710 |
In Washington, the average annual salary is $33,710. Maxor National Pharmacy Services Company, Johns Hopkins Intrastaff, and Sibley Memorial Hospital provide ample job opportunities in the city.
16. Phoenix, AZ
City Population: 1,615,017
Employment: 6,730
| Phoenix Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,280 |
| Experienced | $45,700 |
| Average | $33,580 |
A high location quotient - 1.22 signifies a higher demand for pharmacy technicians. Also, the cost of living in Phoenix is low; this makes the city a somewhat balanced place for pharmacy techs. You can expect to earn $33,580 annually.
17. Memphis, TN
City Population: 652,717
Employment: 2,740
| Memphis Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,090 |
| Experienced | $46,580 |
| Average | $33,420 |
An extremely low cost of living, a high number of technician jobs, and an above-average concentration of employed technicians makes Memphis a recommended choice. The average salary is $33,420 per year.
18. New York, NY
City Population: 8,537,673
Employment: 18,050
| New York Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,240 |
| Experienced | $48,670 |
| Average | $33,290 |
New York has 18,050 employed pharmacy techs; the job concentration is good, on the other hand, the cost of living in the city is high. You will earn $33,290 per year and will find abundant jobs with - CVS Health, Fidelis Care, Amida Care and Northwell Health.
19. Providence, RI
City Population: 179,219
Employment: 1,770
| Providence Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,580 |
| Experienced | $48,050 |
| Average | $33,020 |
The average yearly salary of a pharma tech in Providence is $33,020 and Lifespan, Walgreens, and Atria Senior Living provide ample job opportunities.
20. Chicago, IL
City Population: 2,704,958
Employment: 14,580
| Chicago Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,170 |
| Experienced | $46,220 |
| Average | $33,010 |
1.07 location quotient and a moderate cost of living, makes Chicago a desirable choice. The average annual salary is $33,010 and Cook County Health and Hospital Systems, CVS Health, University of Chicago Health, Genoa, Northwestern Medicine, Saint Anthony Hospital and Vista Health System ensure that there are plenty of job openings in the city.
21. Dallas, TX
City Population: 1,317,929
Employment: 9,260
| Dallas Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,980 |
| Experienced | $45,710 |
| Average | $33,010 |
Dallas offers a moderate location quotient as well as cost of living. The demand for pharmacy technicians in the city is quite high and the earnings are about $33,010 per annum.
22. Austin, TX
City Population: 947,890
Employment: 2,440
| Austin Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $23,140 |
| Experienced | $42,480 |
| Average | $32,760 |
In Austin you can hope to earn $32,760 annually. People's Pharmacy, HEB, CVS Health, PillPack, South Austin Medical
Center and Walgreens provide plenty of job openings.
23. Miami, FL
City Population: 453,579
Employment: 8,400
| Miami Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,400 |
| Experienced | $44,480 |
| Average | $32,500 |
Miami has a fantastic location quotient; it is 1.17, hence there is a huge demand for pharmacy techs in the city. O the other hand, the cost of living is high too. $32,500 is the mean annual salary that you can expect to earn.
24. Milwaukee, WI
City Population: 595,047
Employment: 2,680
| Milwaukee Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,050 |
| Experienced | $45,85-0 |
| Average | $32,330 |
A low cost of living clubbed with a high concentration of pharmacy tech job offers great job prospects in Milwaukee. You can look forward to employment at Froedtert, CVS Health, and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
25. Baltimore, MD
City Population: 614,664
Employment: 3,660
| Baltimore Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,580 |
| Experienced | $44,180 |
| Average | $32,020 |
Baltimore employs around 3,660 pharmacy technicians, provides a respectable salary of $32,020 annually and also has a very reasonable cost of living.
26. Philadelphia, PA
City Population: 1,567,872
Employment: 8,600
| Philadelphia Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,190 |
| Experienced | $46,010 |
| Average | $31,970 |
Philadelphia has a rather low cost of living and a fairly good location quotient. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Health System, CVS Health and Rite Aide provide lots of openings.
27. Albuquerque, NM
City Population: 559,277
Employment: 1,600
| Albuquerque Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,890 |
| Experienced | $41,270 |
| Average | $31,960 |
Albuquerque gives an annual salary of $31,960 and Lovelace Medical Center, Southwest Care Center, CVS Health and Presbyterian Healthcare Services provide openings.
28. Oklahoma City, OK
City Population: 638,367
Employment: 2,500
| Oklahoma City Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,710 |
| Experienced | $42,460 |
| Average | $31,760 |
Oklahoma is the perfect combination of a city with a good salary - $31,760, low cost of living, and an average demand for pharmacy technicians. Alliance Deaconess, OU Medical Center, Oklahoma Heart Hospital and Integris Health provide employment.
29. St. Louis, MO
City Population: 311,404
Employment: 4,600
| St. Louis Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,070 |
| Experienced | $42,090 |
| Average | $31,240 |
St. Louis is another ideal combination of a city with a high salary - $31,240, low cost of living, and a good demand for pharmacy technicians. Mercy, CVS Health, Anthem and Walgreens provide employment to pharmacy techs.
30. Indianapolis, IN
City Population: 855,164
Employment: 3,580
| Indianapolis Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,570 |
| Experienced | $40,050 |
| Average | $31,120 |
The annual mean salary for Indianapolis is $31,120. The city has a low cost of living and high demand for pharmacy technicians; thus this works out well for pharmacy techs.
31. Kansas City, MO
City Population: 481,420
Employment: 3,530
| Kansas City Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,060 |
| Experienced | $41,830 |
| Average | $30,990 |
Kansas City offers an average salary of $30,990 and has a low cost of living. You can get employed at a host of pharmacies throughout the city - CVS Health, Aetna, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Apria Healthcare, Research Medical center, Kmart Corporation and the University of Kansas Health System.
32. Charlotte, NC
City Population: 842,051
Employment: 3,290
| Charlotte Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $20,660 |
| Experienced | $40,030 |
| Average | $30,930 |
Charlotte employs approximately 3,290 pharmacy techs and pays around $30,930 annually. Carolina's Healthcare System, Walgreens, Novant Health and Emporos Systems Corporation have a multitude of openings.
33. Richmond, VA
City Population: 223,170
Employment: 2,010
| Richmond Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,240 |
| Experienced | $43,350 |
| Average | $30,760 |
The average annual earnings for pharmacy techs in Richmond is $30,760 and you can seek employment at - Henrico Doctors Hospital Forest, VCU Health System, Sitter-Barfoot Veterans Care Center, Virginia Sitter-Barfoot Veterans Care and Kroger Stores.
34. Nashville, TN
City Population: 660,388
Employment: 4,050
| Nashville Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,040 |
| Experienced | $40,350 |
| Average | $30,470 |
Nashville has a very good location quotient - 1.64 and fairly low cost of living; this translates in to great prospects for pharmacy techs. On an average, you can look forward to earning $30,470 per year.
35. Jacksonville, FL
City Population: 880,619
Employment: 2,050
| Jacksonville Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,300 |
| Experienced | $39,000 |
| Average | $30,220 |
Jacksonville provides work for approximately 2,050 pharmacy techs and pays them about $30,220 annually. Top recruiters are - UF Health Shands Hospital, Magnus Opus Technologies Inc., The Sulzbacher Center, Walgreens, CVS Health and Baptist Medical Center.
36. Cleveland, OH
City Population: 385,809
Employment: 2,870
| Cleveland Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $19,840 |
| Experienced | $42,260 |
| Average | $30,210 |
Metro Health Medial Health, Select Specialty Hospital, University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic have a lot of openings for pharmacy technicians. Cleveland offers $30,210 per year and absorbs approximately 2,870 candidates.
37. Detroit, MI
City Population: 672,795
Employment: 5,170
| Detroit Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $20,660 |
| Experienced | $39,470 |
| Average | $30,120 |
Detroit has a fantastic location quotient - 1.07 and what's more, the cost of living is fairly low; making it a perfect place to work as a pharmacy tech. The city offers $30,120, on an average annually.
38. Columbus, OH
City Population: 860,090
Employment: 2,380
| Columbus Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,060 |
| Experienced | $39,300 |
| Average | $30,040 |
You will earn $30,040 annually in Columbus and can hope to be taken in at - Ohio State University Medical Center, Meijer, PCA Pharmacy, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Walgreens.
39. Tampa, FL
City Population: 377,165
Employment: 5,040
| Tampa Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,120 |
| Experienced | $38,860 |
| Average | $29,910 |
Tampa boasts of a 1.42 location quotient, employing around 5,040 pharmacy techs. However, the cost of living is a little high and you can hope to earn $29,910 per year.
40. Atlanta, GA
City Population: 472,522
Employment: 6,630
| Atlanta Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $20,380 |
| Experienced | $41,650 |
| Average | $29,720 |
Atlanta has a good location quotient and absorbs a lot of pharmacy techs every year, paying about $29,720 annually, on an average. Northside Hospital, Emory Healthcare and CVS Health are good employers.
41. Louisville, KY
City Population: 616,261
Employment: 2,080
| Louisville Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $20,710 |
| Experienced | $39,000 |
| Average | $29,710 |
In Louisville you can hope to earn $29,710 annually and get absorbed at - Mckesson, Walgreens, Norton Healthcare, CVS Health and Humana.
42. Virginia Beach, VA
City Population: 452,602
Employment: 1,880
| Virginia Beach Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $20,420 |
| Experienced | $40,940 |
| Average | $29,590 |
Virginia Beach promises you $29,590 per year and you can look forward to working at - CVS Health, Pharmerica, Kroger Stores, Walgreens, and Rite Aide.
43. New Orleans, LA
City Population: 391,495
Employment: 1,910
| New Orleans Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $20,900 |
| Experienced | $39,310 |
| Average | $29,480 |
New Orleans has a 1.18 location quotient which transforms in to a high demand for pharma techs. Ample openings are available at - CVS Health, Tulane Medical Center, Walgreens, Ochsner Health System, Chen Medical Associates and Children's Hospital.
44. Orlando, FL
City Population: 277,173
Employment: 3,590
| Orlando Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,050 |
| Experienced | $38,810 |
| Average | $29,380 |
With a 1.14 location quotient, Orlando employs 3,590 pharmacy technicians. The average salary per year is $29,380.
45. Cincinnati, OH
City Population: 298,800
Employment: 3,250
| Cincinnati Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $20,100 |
| Experienced | $40,210 |
| Average | $29,030 |
Cincinnati offers $29,030 annually and provides a host of openings at - Mercy Health, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Kroger Stores, and The Christ Hospital Health Network. About 3,250 pharmacy technicians are employed every year.
46. Raleigh, NC
City Population: 458,880
Employment: 1,630
| Raleigh Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $20,160 |
| Experienced | $39,190 |
| Average | $28,830 |
Raleigh paying an average of $20,160 absorbs 1,630 pharmacy techs, at - Walgreens, CVS Health, Kroger Stores, CSRA, and Duke University Health System.
47. Knoxville, TN
City Population: 186,239
Employment: 1,590
| Knoxville Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $20,850 |
| Experienced | $38,030 |
| Average | $28,380 |
The average salary in Knoxville is $28,380. CVS Health, Turkey Creek Medical Center, Walgreens, East Tennessee Children's Hospital and University of Tennessee Medical Center are big recruiters.
48. Birmingham, AL
City Population: 212,157
Employment: 1,920
| Birmingham Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $20,310 |
| Experienced | $37,150 |
| Average | $27,560 |
In Birmingham, you can earn about $27,560 per year. The city recruits 1,920 technicians at - UAB Medicine, CVS Health, Brookwood Retail Pharmacy, and Grandview Medical Center.
49. Pittsburgh, PA
City Population: 303,625
Employment: 3,250
| Pittsburgh Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $18,470 |
| Experienced | $37,040 |
| Average | $26,790 |
Average annual salary in Pittsburgh is $26,790 and the city employs around 3,250 technicians. Also, the cost of living is reasonable, thus, it makes a good place to work as a pharmacy tech.
50. San Juan, PR
City Population: 347,052
Employment: 3,600
| San Juan Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $16,440 |
| Experienced | $35,070 |
| Average | $23,840 |
Molina Healthcare, ABARCA, APS Healthcare, and CVS Healthcare recruit pharmacy techs here in San Juan. The average salary in the city is $23,840 annually and it employs around 3,600 technicians.
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