Pharmacy Tech Pay

Kent vs Seattle: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Kent, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kent, WA
$60,090
$28.89/hr
Seattle, WA
$64,656
$31.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKent, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$60,090$64,656
Hourly Rate$28.89$31.08
Entry Level (P10)$47,857$50,611
25th Percentile$49,895$55,514
75th Percentile$68,034$76,982
Top Earner (P90)$84,223$86,503
Total Employed334,630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kent ($60,090) and Seattle ($64,656) pharmacy technician salaries.KentSeattleMedian Salary$60,090$64,656Entry Level (P10)$47,857$50,611Top Earner (P90)$84,223$86,503US Median $48,239

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kent.

The salary gap between Kent and Seattle is $4,566 (7.60%). Seattle's median is +34.03% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kent spans $36,366,Seattle spans $35,892. Kent has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kent
P10 (Entry)$47,857
P25$49,895
Median$60,090
P75$68,034
P90 (Top)$84,223
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$50,611
P25$55,514
Median$64,656
P75$76,982
P90 (Top)$86,503

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($58,179 effective) pays 3.98% more than Kent ($55,950 effective).

Kent
Nominal: $60,090
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $55,950
Seattle
Nominal: $64,656
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $58,179

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kent if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,656/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,503)
  • Larger job market (4,630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,179)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Kent grew 2.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.1% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Kent, WA

+2.2%

$55,750 (2024) → $56,990 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+37.1%

$44,730 (2019) → $61,320 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Kent or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $64,656/year, compared to Kent at $60,090/year — a difference of $4,566 (7.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kent and Seattle?

Kent pharmacy technicians earn $28.89/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $31.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kent to Seattle as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kent and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kent = $55,950, Seattle = $58,179), job availability (33 vs 4,630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Kent vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $47,857 in Kent and $50,611 in Seattle. The Seattle 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