Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Kennewick, WA: $27.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Kennewick, WA runs $27.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,011 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Kennewick's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,213 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technicians working in Kennewick, Washington, can expect a median hourly pay of $27.41, which stands significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $23.19. This advantage in pay reflects the competitive demand for skilled technicians across various settings, from busy retail pharmacy counters to specialized hospital cleanrooms. For those engaged in part-time work, like a typical 24-hour workweek, this hourly rate translates into respectable earnings that provide viability in the workforce. Entry-level technicians might begin at around $23.70 per hour, while top earners in this field can achieve a premium of up to $37.66, showcasing a considerable pay range that recognizes varying levels of experience and specialization, including expertise in compounding and compliance with USP <797> and <800> guidelines. These figures are drawn from projected 2026 data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.70 | $189.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.62 | $196.96 |
| Median (P50) | $27.41 | $219.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.99 | $247.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.66 | $301.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kennewick
Based on $27.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.41/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kennewick, WA can expect to earn approximately $57,022 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,897. With a cost-of-living index of 100.08 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kennewick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kennewick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,096.58 | $4,752 | $57,022 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $657.95 | $2,851 | $34,213 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $438.63 | $1,901 | $22,809 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Kennewick) | $27.41 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Kennewick, WA earn a median of $57,011 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.18% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 5.30% below the Washington state average of $60,202.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.41/hr = $34,213/year (purchasing power: $34,186).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,022/year (purchasing power: $56,977).
CoL index: 100.079 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Kennewick grew 19.9% from $21.68/hr (2019) to $26.00/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.91/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Kennewick
For part-time pharmacy technicians in Kennewick, working three days a week can create a stable source of income that is considerably advantageous compared to full-time roles. A technician working 24 hours each week may take home an annual sum reflecting their hourly earnings without the commitments that full-time employment demands. Conversely, per diem pharmacy technician pay in Kennewick often falls between $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles in hospital sterile compounding potentially earning $25 to $40 per hour. Opportunities for travel positions also emerge, with contracts that provide weekly earnings from $1,200 to $1,800, often attracting technicians to markets with workforce shortages. Different employers, such as retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, or hospital pharmacies, contribute to the variability in hourly rates due to differing operational needs and benefits packages. Many pharmacy technicians face the decision of accepting lower hourly wages for stable employment with health insurance versus higher wages without benefits. To successfully negotiate, pharmacy technicians should highlight their expertise and certifications, such as the CSPT credential, to leverage their skills effectively in Kennewick's evolving pharmacy landscape.
More salary data for Kennewick, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Kennewick in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Kennewick. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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