Pharmacy Technician Salary in Bellingham, WA: $59,057 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Bellingham, WA earns a median $59,057/year (≈ $28.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $57,152 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bellingham, Washington, pharmacy technicians can expect a projected median annual salary of $59,057 for 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $48,239, representing a strong local job market for this profession. Salary ranges from $41,543 at the 10th percentile to $82,728 at the 90th percentile indicate a substantial disparity based on experience, location, and workplace setting. Many hospital positions, particularly those involved in sterile compounding, tend to offer higher compensation compared to retail pharmacy roles. This robust compensation landscape is underscored by data from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, projecting continued growth and demand for pharmacy technicians within Bellingham's healthcare infrastructure.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,543 | $19.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,664 | $24.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,057 | $28.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,728 | $39.77 |
Median Salary Position
22.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,185 (2026 est.). At $59,057, the local median is 22.43% above the national median of $48,239.
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At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $59,057/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $60,201 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +22.43% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $59,057 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.43% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $60,201.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 3.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.334 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,057 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,152 — a 3.23% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,070
2025 BLS Actual
$56,010
2026 Current Est.
$59,057
2019–2027 Growth
+44.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,057 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,270 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 30.0% from $43,070 (2019) to $56,010 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,270 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,200 (44.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $41,543 – $50,664 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,664 – $59,057 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,057 – $67,640 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,640 – $82,728 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Bellingham
The local environment for pharmacy technicians in Bellingham features approximately 180 employed individuals within this occupation, contributing to a steady influx of job opportunities. However, with a cost-of-living index of 103.334, financial realities must be considered, as this indicates living expenses are slightly above the national average. Among local employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies typically provide the highest wages, often leading in pay compared to chains like CVS and Walgreens. The disparity in salary can be influenced by certification premiums, shift differentials, and other incentives, such as the CSPT credential for those specializing in sterile compounding. To maximize earning potential, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking roles within hospital settings or specialty pharmacies could yield higher pharmacy technician pay in Bellingham WA.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
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 $56,010 for pharmacy techniciansin the Bellingham 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
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