Pharmacy Technician Salary in Lake Ridge, VA: $44,234 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Lake Ridge, VA earns a median $44,234/year (≈ $21.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Lake Ridge's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $42,862 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Lake Ridge, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $44,234. This figure is slightly lower than the national median of $48,239, reflecting the local dynamics of the job market. The salary range extends from $35,679 at the 10th percentile to $57,243 at the 90th percentile, with local estimates derived from state-level data and regional cost adjustments. Pharmacy technicians working in Lake Ridge may find that additional compensation is possible through shift differentials, particularly for overnight retail work, which can enhance their earnings and overall financial stability in this area.
About the Lake Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,679 | $17.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,655 | $17.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,234 | $21.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,928 | $23.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,243 | $27.52 |
Median Salary Position
8.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Ridge
In Lake Ridge, VA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,564 (2026 est.). At $44,234, the local median is 8.3% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Ridge Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Lake Ridge median: $44,234/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $46,173 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -8.30% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Lake Ridge, VA earn a median of $44,234 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.30% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 4.20% below the Virginia state average of $46,173.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Ridge has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Ridge, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $44,234 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,862 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,132
2025 BLS Actual
$41,952
2026 Current Est.
$44,234
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Lake Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,132 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,186 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,653 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,954 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,556 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,952 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,234 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,641 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Ridge metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $31,132 (2019) to $41,952 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,641 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,509 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Ridge 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,679 – $36,655 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,655 – $44,234 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,234 – $47,928 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,928 – $57,243 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Lake Ridge
With only 10 pharmacy technicians employed in Lake Ridge, the local job market is relatively small but presents unique opportunities for those in the field. The cost of living index at 103.2 suggests that living expenses are higher than the national average, impacting take-home pay for pharmacy technicians. Among local employers, retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, along with hospital inpatient pharmacies, tend to provide the highest salaries. Factors contributing to the wage spread include the setting of the workplace, with hospital roles—particularly those that comply with USP <797> and <800>—generally offering higher pay compared to retail positions. Additionally, obtaining credentials such as the CSPT or taking on shifts during peak hours can significantly increase earnings in Lake Ridge VA, helping pharmacy technicians to maximize their pay within the local market.
More salary data for Lake Ridge, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Lake Ridge?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $41,952 for pharmacy techniciansin the Lake Ridge metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake Ridge 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