Pharmacy Tech Pay

Seattle vs Longview: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Seattle, WA
$64,656
$31.08/hr
Longview, WA
$61,419
$29.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WALongview, WA
Median Salary$64,656$61,419
Hourly Rate$31.08$29.53
Entry Level (P10)$50,611$49,789
25th Percentile$55,514$52,562
75th Percentile$76,982$65,320
Top Earner (P90)$86,503$69,812
Total Employed4,630100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($64,656) and Longview ($61,419) pharmacy technician salaries.SeattleLongviewMedian Salary$64,656$61,419Entry Level (P10)$50,611$49,789Top Earner (P90)$86,503$69,812US Median $48,239

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Seattle and Longview is $3,237 (5.27%). 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 Seattle spans $35,892,Longview spans $20,023. Seattle has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$50,611
P25$55,514
Median$64,656
P75$76,982
P90 (Top)$86,503
Longview
P10 (Entry)$49,789
P25$52,562
Median$61,419
P75$65,320
P90 (Top)$69,812

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Longview ($62,965 effective) pays 8.23% more than Seattle ($58,179 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $64,656
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $58,179
Longview
Nominal: $61,419
CoL Index: 97.545
Adjusted: $62,965

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

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

Choose Longview if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,965)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Seattle grew 37.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.5% growth in Longview over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+37.1%

$44,730 (2019) → $61,320 (2025)

Longview, WA

+32.5%

$43,960 (2019) → $58,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Seattle or Longview?

Seattle has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $64,656/year, compared to Longview at $61,419/year — a difference of $3,237 (5.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Longview?

Seattle pharmacy technicians earn $31.08/hr while Longview hygienists earn $29.53/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Longview. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $58,179, Longview = $62,965), job availability (4,630 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $50,611 in Seattle and $49,789 in Longview. 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