Pharmacy Technician Salary in Suffolk, VA: $45,388 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Suffolk, VA earns a median $45,388/year (≈ $21.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Suffolk's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $43,981 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Suffolk, Virginia, pharmacy technicians can expect a median annual salary of $45,388 in 2026, a figure that reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. This salary falls within a range that spans from $37,219 at the 10th percentile to $62,688 at the 90th percentile. The offerings in Suffolk are slightly below the national median salary for this occupation, which is projected at $48,239. The local job market, while stable with an employed base of 15 pharmacy technicians, underscores the necessity for specialized skills—most notably, those with the CSPT (Certified Sterile Preparation Technician) credential may enjoy a salary premium. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone aiming to enter or advance in the pharmacy field in Suffolk, VA.
About the Suffolk Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,219 | $17.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,323 | $18.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,388 | $21.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,688 | $30.13 |
Median Salary Position
5.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Suffolk
In Suffolk, VA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,469 (2026 est.). At $45,388, the local median is 5.91% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Suffolk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Suffolk Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Suffolk median: $45,388/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Suffolk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $46,173 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -5.91% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Suffolk, VA earn a median of $45,388 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.91% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.70% below the Virginia state average of $46,173.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Suffolk has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Suffolk, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $45,388 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,981 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,943
2025 BLS Actual
$43,046
2026 Current Est.
$45,388
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Suffolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,943 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,025 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,569 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,556 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,918 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,588 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,046 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,388 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,857 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Suffolk metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $31,943 (2019) to $43,046 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,857 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,914 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Suffolk 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) | $37,219 – $38,323 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,323 – $45,388 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,388 – $48,490 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,490 – $62,688 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Suffolk
The job market for pharmacy technicians in Suffolk is notably influenced by the local cost of living index, which stands at 103.2, indicating a slightly higher-than-average expense for housing and goods. This cost reality can affect take-home pay and should be a consideration for job seekers. Among the employers in Suffolk, retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, as well as hospital environments that emphasize sterile compounding, typically offer the most competitive salaries. The disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors such as the specific work setting—hospital positions often pay more due to the complexity of tasks and regulatory compliance required—along with certifications that can enhance a technician’s earning potential. Additionally, taking advantage of shift differentials and pursuing further education or credentials like CSPT can provide pathways to maximize salary. Understanding these nuances in pharmacy technician pay in Suffolk, VA, can significantly enhance one's career prospects.
More salary data for Suffolk, 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 $43,046 for pharmacy techniciansin the Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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