Pharmacy Pay: Pharmacy Technician vs. Pharmacist (May 2025 BLS Data)
Pharmacy has one of the biggest pay gaps between two jobs that work side by side. Here is what technicians and pharmacists earned in the May 2025 federal data, and what moving from one to the other involves.
The pay ladder at a glance
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. | Typical entry education | Projected growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy technician | 471,680 | $36,020 | $45,750 | $61,040 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.4% |
| Pharmacist | 321,970 | $99,290 | $140,910 | $174,230 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.2% |
Wages are May 2025 estimates from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; growth and education from BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. The 10th and 90th percentiles show the range from entry-level or lower-paying employers to the most experienced or best-paid workers. For comparison, the median for all U.S. occupations was $50,980.
Pharmacy technicians
Pharmacy technicians earn a median of $45,750, with 471,680 jobs. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook says technicians typically need a high school diploma and on-the-job training, or a postsecondary pharmacy technology program, and that most states regulate technicians, which may require passing an exam or completing a training program. Projected growth is 6.4%.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists earn $140,910. They typically need a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited program, and every state requires a license. BLS notes Pharm.D. programs typically require at least two years of prerequisite undergraduate coursework. Projected growth for pharmacists is 5.2%.
Where pharmacy pay is highest
Pay depends on setting. In the May 2025 data, the industries with the highest pharmacist medians were:
| Industry sector | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $156,600 | 121,660 |
| Government (federal, state and local; excludes public schools, public hospitals and the Postal Service) | $153,650 | 9,550 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $144,820 | 4,710 |
| Educational Services | $141,770 | 1,940 |
| Manufacturing | $138,810 | 1,420 |
Where pharmacy technicians earn the most
State medians for pharmacy technicians vary widely. The five highest-paying states in the May 2025 survey:
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $58,900 | 8,150 |
| California | $55,110 | 39,860 |
| Oregon | $54,900 | 4,320 |
| Alaska | $52,640 | 800 |
| Colorado | $49,970 | 6,010 |
Raise tips for pharmacy staff
- Certification differentials. Many employers pay certified technicians more; ask whether your employer has a certified-tech rate.
- Specialty settings. Hospital, compounding and specialty pharmacy roles often have different pay scales than retail.
Published October 27, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original chart by JobPayRaise.com using BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
Comments (1)
One classification detail: federal regulations list pharmacy among the traditional learned professions, so salaried pharmacists paid at least $684 a week can be exempt from overtime. Pharmacy technician jobs don't require an advanced degree, so technicians can't use that professional exemption and are generally owed time-and-a-half after 40 hours. See 29 CFR 541.301(c).