Pharmacy Tech Pay

Portland vs Sherwood: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Portland, OR and Sherwood, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Portland, OR
$61,777
$29.70/hr
Sherwood, OR
$51,924
$24.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPortland, ORSherwood, OR
Median Salary$61,777$51,924
Hourly Rate$29.70$24.97
Entry Level (P10)$49,156$42,193
25th Percentile$51,328$43,036
75th Percentile$67,186$54,604
Top Earner (P90)$75,253$67,210
Total Employed2,4604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Portland ($61,777) and Sherwood ($51,924) pharmacy technician salaries.PortlandSherwoodMedian Salary$61,777$51,924Entry Level (P10)$49,156$42,193Top Earner (P90)$75,253$67,210US Median $48,239

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sherwood.

The salary gap between Portland and Sherwood is $9,853 (18.98%). Portland's median is +28.06% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Portland spans $26,097,Sherwood spans $25,017. Portland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Portland
P10 (Entry)$49,156
P25$51,328
Median$61,777
P75$67,186
P90 (Top)$75,253
Sherwood
P10 (Entry)$42,193
P25$43,036
Median$51,924
P75$54,604
P90 (Top)$67,210

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($58,600 effective) pays 15.79% more than Sherwood ($50,608 effective).

Portland
Nominal: $61,777
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $58,600
Sherwood
Nominal: $51,924
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $50,608

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,777/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,253)
  • Larger job market (2,460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,600)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Sherwood if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Portland grew 36.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.5% growth in Sherwood over the same period.

Portland, OR

+36.4%

$42,960 (2019) → $58,590 (2025)

Sherwood, OR

+5.5%

$46,665 (2024) → $49,245 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Portland or Sherwood?

Portland has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $61,777/year, compared to Sherwood at $51,924/year — a difference of $9,853 (18.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Portland and Sherwood?

Portland pharmacy technicians earn $29.70/hr while Sherwood hygienists earn $24.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Portland to Sherwood as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Portland and Sherwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Portland = $58,600, Sherwood = $50,608), job availability (2,460 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Portland vs Sherwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $49,156 in Portland and $42,193 in Sherwood. The Portland area offers higher starting salaries.
ET

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