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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: 873,965
Employment: 4,620
| San Francisco Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $35,800 |
| Experienced | $79,930 |
| Average | $56,020 |
On an average, a pharmacy technician in San Francisco can expect a salary of $56,020 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. Sacramento, CA
City Population: 524,943
Employment: 2,610
| Sacramento Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $33,030 |
| Experienced | $76,290 |
| Average | $49,540 |
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 $49,540 per annum. Also, the cost of living is fairly reasonable here.
3. Seattle, WA
City Population: 737,015
Employment: 4,450
| Seattle Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $36,880 |
| Experienced | $61,180 |
| Average | $47,940 |
The average salary for a pharmacy technician in Seattle is $47,940. The city promises an outstanding opportunity for full-time as well as part-time pharmacy techs, providing 4,450 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.
4. Los Angeles, CA
City Population: 3,898,747
Employment: 11,900
| Los Angeles Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $33,360 |
| Experienced | $64,630 |
| Average | $47,270 |
LA has a high cost of living; on the other hand, the number of pharmacy technicians employed is high too around 11,900. The estimated average earnings per year are $47,270 and recruiters include - Children's Hospital, CVS Health, Veteran's Affair and California's Rehabilitation Institute.
5. San Diego, CA
City Population: 1,386,932
Employment: 3,060
| San Diego Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $30,680 |
| Experienced | $66,900 |
| Average | $45,780 |
San Diego is the 5th city in California to make it to the list. The average salary is $45,780 and Veterans Affair, Scripps Mercy, and Walgreens provide a large number of openings.
6. Portland, OR
City Population: 652,503
Employment: 3,010
| Portland Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $33,610 |
| Experienced | $59,300 |
| Average | $44,650 |
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 $44,650 and a realistic cost of living.
7. Minneapolis, MN
City Population: 429,954
Employment: 5,310
| Minneapolis Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $27,680 |
| Experienced | $55,970 |
| Average | $40,850 |
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 around 5,310. They make $40,850 annually.
8. Riverside, CA
City Population: 314,998
Employment: 4,440
| Riverside Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $29,000 |
| Experienced | $57,640 |
| Average | $40,510 |
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 $40,510 annually.
9. Salt Lake City, UT
City Population: 199,723
Employment: 1,930
| Salt Lake City Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $31,530 |
| Experienced | $51,140 |
| Average | $40,170 |
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 $40,170.
10. Denver, CO
City Population: 715,522
Employment: 3,020
| Denver Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $28,360 |
| Experienced | $55,620 |
| Average | $40,160 |
Denver Health, CVS Health and National Jewish Health offer enormous opportunities to full-time seekers. Denver promises $40,160 per year and the concentration of pharmacy techs in the city is fairly good too.
11. Boston, MA
City Population: 675,647
Employment: 6,410
| Boston Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $28,250 |
| Experienced | $55,170 |
| Average | $39,880 |
Boston offers an average salary of $39,880 and has a low cost of living. The number of openings is high, with around 6,410 pharmacy technicians being employed in the city.
12. Washington, DC
City Population: 689,545
Employment: 5,010
| Washington Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $27,310 |
| Experienced | $55,450 |
| Average | $39,690 |
In Washington, the average annual salary is $39,690. Maxor National Pharmacy Services Company, Johns Hopkins Intrastaff, and Sibley Memorial Hospital provide ample job opportunities in the city.
13. Las Vegas, NV
City Population: 641,903
Employment: 3,210
| Las Vegas Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $28,200 |
| Experienced | $53,360 |
| Average | $39,620 |
One Point Patient Care, Walgreens, Option Care, and Smith's Food and Drug are huge recruiters. $39,620 is what you can hope to earn per year. Las Vega employs about 3,210 pharmacy technicians at a respectable salary and comparatively low cost of living.
14. San Antonio, TX
City Population: 1,434,625
Employment: 3,120
| San Antonio Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $29,240 |
| Experienced | $50,370 |
| Average | $38,600 |
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 $38,600 annually.
15. Providence, RI
City Population: 190,934
Employment: 2,040
| Providence Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $27,290 |
| Experienced | $50,780 |
| Average | $38,550 |
The average yearly salary of a pharma tech in Providence is $38,550 and Lifespan, Walgreens, and Atria Senior Living provide ample job opportunities.
16. New York, NY
City Population: 8,804,190
Employment: 19,980
| New York Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,910 |
| Experienced | $53,420 |
| Average | $37,660 |
New York has 19,980 employed pharmacy techs; the job concentration is good, on the other hand, the cost of living in the city is high. You will earn $37,660 per year and will find abundant jobs with - CVS Health, Fidelis Care, Amida Care and Northwell Health.
17. Milwaukee, WI
City Population: 577,222
Employment: 2,950
| Milwaukee Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $26,280 |
| Experienced | $50,300 |
| Average | $37,530 |
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.
18. Dallas, TX
City Population: 1,304,379
Employment: 11,580
| Dallas Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,090 |
| Experienced | $50,420 |
| Average | $37,420 |
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 $37,420 per annum.
19. Houston, TX
City Population: 2,304,580
Employment: 8,650
| Houston Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $27,670 |
| Experienced | $49,040 |
| Average | $37,330 |
Houston offers a high concentration of pharmacy tech jobs along with a low cost of living. You can look ahead to a salary of $37,330 annually and expect gainful employment with Texas Children's Hospital, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Woman's Hospital of Texas.
20. Austin, TX
City Population: 961,855
Employment: 3,190
| Austin Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $28,350 |
| Experienced | $48,760 |
| Average | $37,320 |
In Austin you can hope to earn $37,320 annually. People's Pharmacy, HEB, CVS Health, PillPack, South Austin Medical
Center and Walgreens provide plenty of job openings.
21. Phoenix, AZ
City Population: 1,608,139
Employment: 6,740
| Phoenix Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $26,950 |
| Experienced | $49,360 |
| Average | $36,940 |
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 $36,940 annually.
22. New Orleans, LA
City Population: 383,997
Employment: 1,700
| New Orleans Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $26,150 |
| Experienced | $49,070 |
| Average | $36,690 |
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.
23. Memphis, TN
City Population: 633,104
Employment: 2,440
| Memphis Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $24,130 |
| Experienced | $50,650 |
| Average | $36,660 |
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 $36,660 per year.
24. Indianapolis, IN
City Population: 887,642
Employment: 3,420
| Indianapolis Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,330 |
| Experienced | $49,440 |
| Average | $36,490 |
The annual mean salary for Indianapolis is $36,490. The city has a low cost of living and high demand for pharmacy technicians; thus this works out well for pharmacy techs.
25. Jacksonville, FL
City Population: 949,611
Employment: 2,620
| Jacksonville Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,660 |
| Experienced | $42,680 |
| Average | $36,250 |
Jacksonville provides work for approximately 2,620 pharmacy techs and pays them about $36,250 annually. Top recruiters are - UF Health Shands Hospital, Magnus Opus Technologies Inc., The Sulzbacher Center, Walgreens, CVS Health and Baptist Medical Center.
26. Albuquerque, NM
City Population:564,559
Employment: 1,280
| Albuquerque Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $27,580 |
| Experienced | $47,160 |
| Average | $36,190 |
Albuquerque gives an annual salary of $36,190 and Lovelace Medical Center, Southwest Care Center, CVS Health and Presbyterian Healthcare Services provide openings.
27. Miami, FL
City Population: 442,241
Employment: 8,970
| Miami Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $27,000 |
| Experienced | $47,320 |
| Average | $35,920 |
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. $35,920 is the mean annual salary that you can expect to earn.
28. Baltimore, MD
City Population: 585,708
Employment: 4,170
| Baltimore Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $26,300 |
| Experienced | $48,740 |
| Average | $35,530 |
Baltimore employs around 4,170 pharmacy technicians, provides a respectable salary of $35,530 annually and also has a very reasonable cost of living.
29. St. Louis, MO
City Population: 301,578
Employment: 4,870
| St. Louis Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $24,700 |
| Experienced | $48,540 |
| Average | $35,480 |
St. Louis is another ideal combination of a city with a high salary - $35,480, low cost of living, and a good demand for pharmacy technicians. Mercy, CVS Health, Anthem and Walgreens provide employment to pharmacy techs.
30. Chicago, IL
City Population: 2,746,388
Employment: 14,880
| Chicago Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,770 |
| Experienced | $49,300 |
| Average | $35,320 |
1.07 location quotient and a moderate cost of living, makes Chicago a desirable choice. The average annual salary is $35,320 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.
31. Detroit, MI
City Population: 639,111
Employment: 6,570
| Detroit Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $23,960 |
| Experienced | $48,500 |
| Average | $35,280 |
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 $35,280, on an average annually.
32. Cleveland, OH
City Population: 372,624
Employment: 3,060
| Cleveland Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $23,620 |
| Experienced | $48,080 |
| Average | $34,980 |
Metro Health Medial Health, Select Specialty Hospital, University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic have a lot of openings for pharmacy technicians. Cleveland offers $34,980 per year and absorbs approximately 3,060 candidates.
31. Oklahoma City, OK
City Population: 681,054
Employment: 1,820
| Oklahoma City Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,800 |
| Experienced | $47,720 |
| Average | $34,770 |
Oklahoma is the perfect combination of a city with a good salary - $34,770, low cost of living, and an average demand for pharmacy technicians. Alliance Deaconess, OU Medical Center, Oklahoma Heart Hospital and Integris Health provide employment.
34. Richmond, VA
City Population: 226,610
Employment: 1,660
| Richmond Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,080 |
| Experienced | $47,620 |
| Average | $34,610 |
The average annual earnings for pharmacy techs in Richmond is $34,610 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.
35. Kansas City, MO
City Population: 156,607
Employment: 3,630
| Kansas City Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,430 |
| Experienced | $48,060 |
| Average | $34,470 |
Kansas City offers an average salary of $34,470 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.
36. Tampa, FL
City Population: 384,959
Employment: 4,430
| Tampa Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,480 |
| Experienced | $46,430 |
| Average | $34,460 |
Tampa boasts of a 1.42 location quotient, employing around 4,430 pharmacy techs. However, the cost of living is a little high and you can hope to earn $34,460 per year.
37. Virginia Beach, VA
City Population: 459,470
Employment: 1,980
| Virginia Beach Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $24,430 |
| Experienced | $46,930 |
| Average | $34,400 |
Virginia Beach promises you $34,400 per year and you can look forward to working at - CVS Health, Pharmerica, Kroger Stores, Walgreens, and Rite Aide.
38. Orlando, FL
City Population: 307,573
Employment: 4,800
| Orlando Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $25,930 |
| Experienced | $43,880 |
| Average | $34,220 |
With a 1.14 location quotient, Orlando employs 4,800 pharmacy technicians. The average salary per year is $34,220.
39. Charlotte, NC
City Population: 874,579
Employment: 3,220
| Charlotte Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $23,060 |
| Experienced | $46,150 |
| Average | $33,760 |
Charlotte employs approximately 3,220 pharmacy techs and pays around $33,760 annually. Carolina's Healthcare System, Walgreens, Novant Health and Emporos Systems Corporation have a multitude of openings.
40. Philadelphia, PA
City Population: 1,603,797
Employment: 9,950
| Philadelphia Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,590 |
| Experienced | $47,570 |
| Average | $33,380 |
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.
41. Atlanta, GA
City Population: 498,715
Employment: 5,770
| Atlanta Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $23,100 |
| Experienced | $45,730 |
| Average | $33,290 |
Atlanta has a good location quotient and absorbs a lot of pharmacy techs every year, paying about $33,290 annually, on an average. Northside Hospital, Emory Healthcare and CVS Health are good employers.
42. Nashville, TN
City Population: 689,447
Employment: 3,590
| Nashville Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,970 |
| Experienced | $46,580 |
| Average | $33,080 |
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 $33,080 per year.
43. Raleigh, NC
City Population: 467,665
Employment: 1,950
| Raleigh Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $24,390 |
| Experienced | $43,210 |
| Average | $33,000 |
Raleigh paying an average of $33,000 absorbs 1,950 pharmacy techs, at - Walgreens, CVS Health, Kroger Stores, CSRA, and Duke University Health System.
44. Columbus, OH
City Population: 905,748
Employment: 3,000
| Columbus Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $23,320 |
| Experienced | $42,020 |
| Average | $32,130 |
You will earn $32,130 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.
45. Louisville, KY
City Population: 633,045
Employment: 3,670
| Louisville Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $24,220 |
| Experienced | $40,100 |
| Average | $31,490 |
In Louisville you can hope to earn $31,490 annually and get absorbed at - Mckesson, Walgreens, Norton Healthcare, CVS Health and Humana.
46. Cincinnati, OH
City Population: 309,317
Employment: 3,650
| Cincinnati Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,110 |
| Experienced | $45,060 |
| Average | $31,310 |
Cincinnati offers $31,310 annually and provides a host of openings at - Mercy Health, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Kroger Stores, and The Christ Hospital Health Network. About 3,650 pharmacy technicians are employed every year.
47. Knoxville, TN
City Population: 190,740
Employment: 1,310
| Knoxville Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,780 |
| Experienced | $40,720 |
| Average | $31,200 |
The average salary in Knoxville is $31,200. CVS Health, Turkey Creek Medical Center, Walgreens, East Tennessee Children's Hospital and University of Tennessee Medical Center are big recruiters.
48. Pittsburgh, PA
City Population: 302,971
Employment: 3,950
| Pittsburgh Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $22,860 |
| Experienced | $40,740 |
| Average | $31,110 |
Average annual salary in Pittsburgh is $31,110 and the city employs around 3,950 technicians. Also, the cost of living is reasonable, thus, it makes a good place to work as a pharmacy tech.
49. Birmingham, AL
City Population: 200,733
Employment: 2,100
| Birmingham Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $21,760 |
| Experienced | $40,210 |
| Average | $31,070 |
In Birmingham, you can earn about $31,070 per year. The city recruits 2,100 technicians at - UAB Medicine, CVS Health, Brookwood Retail Pharmacy, and Grandview Medical Center.
50. San Juan, PR
City Population: 312,975
Employment: 3,600
| San Juan Pharmacy Technician Salary | |
| Starting | $17,450 |
| Experienced | $36,050 |
| Average | $25,630 |
Molina Healthcare, ABARCA, APS Healthcare, and CVS Healthcare recruit pharmacy techs here in San Juan. The average salary in the city is $25,630 annually and it employs around 3,600 technicians.
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