Pharmacy Tech Pay

Avondale vs Tucson: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Avondale, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Avondale, AZ
$50,158
$24.11/hr
Tucson, AZ
$49,884
$23.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAvondale, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$50,158$49,884
Hourly Rate$24.11$23.98
Entry Level (P10)$39,462$39,730
25th Percentile$41,099$48,513
75th Percentile$55,266$54,407
Top Earner (P90)$67,318$66,691
Total Employed141,630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Avondale ($50,158) and Tucson ($49,884) pharmacy technician salaries.AvondaleTucsonMedian Salary$50,158$49,884Entry Level (P10)$39,462$39,730Top Earner (P90)$67,318$66,691US Median $48,239

Verdict

Avondale, AZ offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tucson.

The salary gap between Avondale and Tucson is $274 (0.55%). Avondale's median is +3.98% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Avondale spans $27,856,Tucson spans $26,961. Avondale has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Avondale
P10 (Entry)$39,462
P25$41,099
Median$50,158
P75$55,266
P90 (Top)$67,318
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$39,730
P25$48,513
Median$49,884
P75$54,407
P90 (Top)$66,691

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($51,482 effective) pays 1.10% more than Avondale ($50,922 effective).

Avondale
Nominal: $50,158
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $50,922
Tucson
Nominal: $49,884
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $51,482

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Avondale if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,158/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,318)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Larger job market (1,630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,482)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Avondale grew 13.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.9% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Avondale, AZ

+13.6%

$41,872 (2024) → $47,570 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+24.9%

$37,880 (2019) → $47,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Avondale or Tucson?

Avondale has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $50,158/year, compared to Tucson at $49,884/year — a difference of $274 (0.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Avondale and Tucson?

Avondale pharmacy technicians earn $24.11/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $23.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Avondale to Tucson as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Avondale and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Avondale = $50,922, Tucson = $51,482), job availability (14 vs 1,630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Avondale vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $39,462 in Avondale and $39,730 in Tucson. The Tucson area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD

Career Analyst

Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov