As examined in Pharmacy Technician Pay in the Top 20 Metropolitan Areas last October, the largest U.S. metropolitan markets are top centers for pharmacy technician employment. Nonetheless, a deeper look at U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reveals that smaller metro areas frequently provide pharmacy technicians with better pay opportunities. A review of May 2021 BLS data shows us that just four of the top 20 U.S. metropolitan areas were among the 20 best metro areas for pharmacy technician pay:
20 Best Metro Areas for Pharmacy Technician Pay
| Metropolitan Area | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward (#) | 4,280 | $59,340 | ||
| 2 | Napa, CA | 160 | $58,620 | ||
| 3 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,010 | $58,390 | ||
| 4 | Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 430 | $57,060 | ||
| 5 | Santa Rosa, CA | 360 | $56,590 | ||
| 6 | Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade | 2,630 | $51,520 | ||
| 7 | Stockton-Lodi, CA | 700 | $50,860 | ||
| 8 | Salinas, CA | 330 | $49,570 | ||
| 9 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (#) | 3,230 | $48,960 | ||
| 10 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (#) | 4,290 | $48,850 | ||
| 11 | Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 130 | $48,130 | ||
| 12 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 270 | $48,070 | ||
| 13 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (#) | 13,770 | $48,010 | ||
| 14 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 240 | $48,000 | ||
| 15 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 730 | $47,700 | ||
| 16 | Redding, CA | 190 | $47,660 | ||
| 17 | Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 280 | $47,490 | ||
| 18 | Northern Valley California non-metro | 200 | $47,440 | ||
| 19 | Alaska non-metro | 200 | $47,400 | ||
| 20 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 390 | $47,370 | ||
| National | 436,630 | $37,970 | |||
(#) a top 20 U.S metro population area
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on November 28, 2022
