Pharmacy Tech Pay

Houston vs Lufkin: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Houston, TX and Lufkin, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$48,924
$23.52/hr
Lufkin, TX
$43,780
$21.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXLufkin, TX
Median Salary$48,924$43,780
Hourly Rate$23.52$21.05
Entry Level (P10)$37,357$35,954
25th Percentile$39,793$36,752
75th Percentile$52,267$46,950
Top Earner (P90)$64,445$55,861
Total Employed10,6108
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($48,924) and Lufkin ($43,780) pharmacy technician salaries.HoustonLufkinMedian Salary$48,924$43,780Entry Level (P10)$37,357$35,954Top Earner (P90)$64,445$55,861US Median $48,239

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lufkin.

The salary gap between Houston and Lufkin is $5,144 (11.75%). Houston's median is +1.42% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $27,088,Lufkin spans $19,907. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$37,357
P25$39,793
Median$48,924
P75$52,267
P90 (Top)$64,445
Lufkin
P10 (Entry)$35,954
P25$36,752
Median$43,780
P75$46,950
P90 (Top)$55,861

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($49,604 effective) pays 8.77% more than Lufkin ($45,604 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $48,924
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $49,604
Lufkin
Nominal: $43,780
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $45,604

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,924/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,445)
  • Larger job market (10,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,604)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Lufkin if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Houston grew 30.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.9% growth in Lufkin over the same period.

Houston, TX

+30.6%

$35,540 (2019) → $46,400 (2025)

Lufkin, TX

+13.9%

$36,448 (2024) → $41,521 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Houston or Lufkin?

Houston has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,924/year, compared to Lufkin at $43,780/year — a difference of $5,144 (11.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Lufkin?

Houston pharmacy technicians earn $23.52/hr while Lufkin hygienists earn $21.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Lufkin as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Lufkin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $49,604, Lufkin = $45,604), job availability (10,610 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Houston vs Lufkin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $37,357 in Houston and $35,954 in Lufkin. The Houston 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