Pharmacy Technician Salary in Newport News, VA: $46,521 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Newport News, VA earns a median $46,521/year (≈ $22.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Newport News's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $45,078 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Newport News, Virginia can anticipate a 2026 median salary of $46,521, which falls slightly below the national median of $48,239. Local compensation ranges from $37,552 at the 10th percentile to $64,369 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variances, reflect the competitive nature of the local job market, particularly for roles that include shift differentials and an overnight retail premium. With growing demand for pharmacy services, particularly in light of recent expansions, the Newport News area presents various opportunities for pharmacy technicians to secure favorable positions, essential for meeting the community's healthcare needs.
About the Newport News Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,552 | $18.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,521 | $22.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,175 | $25.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,369 | $30.95 |
Median Salary Position
3.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newport News
In Newport News, VA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,817 (2026 est.). At $46,521, the local median is 3.56% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newport News: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newport News Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Newport News median: $46,521/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newport News Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $46,152 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | -3.56% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Newport News, VA earn a median of $46,521 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.56% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 0.80% above the Virginia state average of $46,152.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newport News has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newport News, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $46,521 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,078 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,741
2025 BLS Actual
$44,121
2026 Current Est.
$46,521
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Newport News (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,741 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,432 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,444 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,865 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,601 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,121 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,521 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,052 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newport News metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $32,741 (2019) to $44,121 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,052 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,311 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport News 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) | $37,552 – $39,150 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,150 – $46,521 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,521 – $52,175 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,175 – $64,369 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Newport News
Despite the relatively modest average salary, the local job market shows promise with 39 pharmacy technicians currently employed in the region. The cost-of-living index for Newport News stands at 103.2, slightly above the national average, suggesting that while wages may be lower, local purchasing power could remain stable for residents. Retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens, as well as hospital inpatient pharmacies, typically provide the best compensation packages. Factors such as work setting—hospital sterile compounding roles generally offer higher wages—and additional benefits for certifications like the CSPT contribute to a wide salary variance. To maximize pay, technicians should consider pursuing further certifications, applying for positions in high-demand settings, and seeking out shifts that pay extra for overnight work, all crucial strategies in enhancing pharmacy technician pay in Newport News VA.
More salary data for Newport News, VA:
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
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 $44,121 for pharmacy techniciansin the Newport News 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 Newport News 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