Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Kent, WA: $28.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Kent, WA runs $28.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,090 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Kent's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,055 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kent, Washington, the projected median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians is $28.89, significantly higher than the national median of $23.19. This denotes a favorable environment for pharmacy techs, especially those working part-time or in per-diem roles, which are common across various settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacies, and specialty compounding areas. For instance, a part-time pharmacy technician working three days a week (24 hours total) would earn approximately $694.32 weekly, contributing to a solid income for those balancing work with educational pursuits or family obligations. Entry-level technicians might start at around $23.01, while more experienced staff can reach up to $40.49 per hour, highlighting the diverse earning potential within Kent's pharmacy landscape.
About the Kent Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.01 | $184.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.99 | $191.90 |
| Median (P50) | $28.89 | $231.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.71 | $261.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.49 | $323.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kent
Based on $28.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.89/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kent, WA can expect to earn approximately $60,092 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,669. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kent.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kent
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,155.62 | $5,008 | $60,092 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $693.37 | $3,005 | $36,055 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $462.25 | $2,003 | $24,037 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Kent) | $28.89 |
| 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 Kent, WA earn a median of $60,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.57% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.20% below the Washington state average of $60,211.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.89/hr = $36,055/year (purchasing power: $33,571).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,092/year (purchasing power: $55,952).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Kent (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Kent grew 34.8% from $20.33/hr (2019) to $27.40/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.46/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 Kent 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 Kent
For those working as per-diem pharmacy technicians in Kent, the earning potential can vary widely, with rates typically ranging between $20 and $32 per hour for regular shifts. This rate can increase for specialized roles, particularly in sterile compounding, where per-diem technicians might command $25 to $40 hourly. Travel pharmacy techs, often covering shortages in hospitals, have lucrative contracts that can average $1,200 to $1,800 a week. Different employer types affect hourly rates as well; retail chains often provide lower pay compared to hospitals and specialty pharmacies, which tend to offer more competitive wages but may not include benefits. Technicians must weigh the prospects of higher hourly pay against the security of employer-provided health benefits. Negotiating pay is crucial in this environment; having current market rates from the local area can empower technicians to discuss their worth effectively.
More salary data for Kent, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Kent in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Kent?
Are pharmacy technicians in Kent paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Kent?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Kent?
Related Pages
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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 Kent. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kent 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