Just over 460,000 pharmacy technicians were working in the U.S. as of May 2023 according to data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Pharmacy technicians work in varied settings, including health and personal care stores, hospitals, food and general merchandise stores with pharmacy services, and other businesses involved in the distribution of pharmacy products. Pharmacy technicians typically earn lower salaries and wages than workers in most other healthcare occupations. According to BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for pharmacy technicians was $43,330 per year. Pharmacy technician pay varies considerably from state to state. Based on annual mean wage levels, BLS data indicated that as of May 2023 these were the ten best and worst states for pharmacy technician pay:
The Best and Worst States for Pharmacy Technician Pay
| Best Paying States | |
| California | $55,710 |
| Washington | $55,390 |
| District of Columbia | $54,030 |
| Oregon | $50,440 |
| Alaska | $49,810 |
| Colorado | $47,150 |
| Massachusetts | $46,450 |
| Minnesota | $46,430 |
| North Dakota | $45,870 |
| Utah | $45,400 |
| Worst Paying States | |
| Georgia | $39,740 |
| Louisiana | $39,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,250 |
| Tennessee | $38,940 |
| Kentucky | $38,570 |
| Mississippi | $38,260 |
| West Virginia | $37,910 |
| Oklahoma | $37,410 |
| Arkansas | $37,170 |
| Alabama | $37,030 |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 6, 2024
