Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Salary in Camas, WA: $46,647 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacy technicians entering the Camas, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $46,647 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Camas's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,433 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($57,122) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the pharmacy technician field in Camas, Washington, the starting pharmacy technician salary is projected to reach around $46,647 in 2026. This figure represents the entry-level point, which sits below the city’s median salary of $57,122. While the gap between these numbers may seem significant, it's important to recognize the growth potential in the early years of one's career. Entry-level technicians can expect to see their pay increase gradually, with earnings potentially reaching the 25th percentile at approximately $47,936 within just a year or two of experience. The market in Camas is currently favorable for new graduates, offering various opportunities in settings ranging from retail to hospital pharmacy, which can shape their careers positively.
About the Camas Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Camas
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Camas
Entry-level pharmacy technicians in Camas, WA typically start between $46,647 and $47,936 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $28,375 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $57,122 — 18.41% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Washington of $8,000 represents just 17.15% of the starting pharmacy technician pay ($46,647/year) in Camas. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ASHP/ACPE-accredited pharmacy technician program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution (community college vs. private vocational school) and program length.
CPhT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Camas
- 1Research the Camas market: entry-level pharmacy technician pay ranges from $46,647 to $47,936, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the pharmacy field — employers in WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Camas, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Camas for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Camas's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Pharmacy Technician Compensation Range
The pharmacy technician wage spread in Camas is $28,375 ( 60.83%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $46,647, experienced hygienists can earn up to $75,022.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,624
2025 BLS Actual
$44,240
2026 Current Est.
$46,647
2019–2027 Growth
+66.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Camas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,624 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,196 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,299 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,404 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,187 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,388 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,647 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,184 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacy technician compensation (10th percentile) in Camas, WA grew 49.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,624 in 2019 to $44,240 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $49,184. New graduates entering the Camas job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camas metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your pharmacy Career in Camas
When considering options for employment in Camas, several notable employers actively hire new pharmacy technicians. Large retail chains like CVS and Walgreens are known to take on new techs, often providing pharmacy technician certification board (PTCB) training. On the other hand, hospital systems, while more inclined to hire experienced technicians, offer lucrative training opportunities in sterile compounding, making them compelling for techs aiming to advance their skills. New graduates should prioritize obtaining credentials such as the PTCB CPhT, while also considering the state pharmacy technician registration. With the retail sector experiencing wage growth of 15-30% following the pandemic due to increased responsibilities, those who gain skills in sterile compounding can earn higher salaries in their initial years. Ultimately, graduates can anticipate their salaries progressing steadily within the first few years of their careers in this evolving job market in WA, especially given the emphasis on certified competencies.
More salary data for Camas, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new pharmacy graduates. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Camas. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Camas is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov