Pharmacy Tech Pay

Kent vs Spokane: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Kent, WA
$60,090
$28.89/hr
Spokane, WA
$60,976
$29.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKent, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$60,090$60,976
Hourly Rate$28.89$29.31
Entry Level (P10)$47,857$48,017
25th Percentile$49,895$51,423
75th Percentile$68,034$65,236
Top Earner (P90)$84,223$76,054
Total Employed33740
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kent ($60,090) and Spokane ($60,976) pharmacy technician salaries.KentSpokaneMedian Salary$60,090$60,976Entry Level (P10)$47,857$48,017Top Earner (P90)$84,223$76,054US Median $48,239

Verdict

Spokane, WA offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kent.

The salary gap between Kent and Spokane is $886 (1.47%). Spokane's median is +26.40% 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,Spokane spans $28,037. 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
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$48,017
P25$51,423
Median$60,976
P75$65,236
P90 (Top)$76,054

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($60,766 effective) pays 8.61% more than Kent ($55,950 effective).

Kent
Nominal: $60,090
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $55,950
Spokane
Nominal: $60,976
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $60,766

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kent if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($84,223)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,976/year)
  • Larger job market (740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,766)
  • 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 44.0% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Kent, WA

+2.2%

$55,750 (2024) → $56,990 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+44.0%

$40,160 (2019) → $57,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Kent or Spokane?

Spokane has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $60,976/year, compared to Kent at $60,090/year — a difference of $886 (1.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kent and Spokane?

Kent pharmacy technicians earn $28.89/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $29.31/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kent and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kent = $55,950, Spokane = $60,766), job availability (33 vs 740 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $47,857 in Kent and $48,017 in Spokane. The Spokane 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