Pharmacy Technician Salary in Kennewick, WA: $57,011 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Kennewick, WA earns a median $57,011/year (≈ $27.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Kennewick's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $56,966 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kennewick, Washington, pharmacy technicians earn a median annual salary of $57,011, which is notably higher than the national median of $48,239. The salary range in this region spans from $49,314 at the lower end (P10) to $78,331 at the upper end (P90). This data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, and reflects the distinct pay dynamics present in the market. Pharmacy technicians working in hospital inpatient settings, particularly in sterile compounding roles, tend to earn significantly more compared to their counterparts in retail pharmacy chains. As the job market in Kennewick continues to evolve, this gradient highlights the importance of setting and specialization in determining salary outcomes for pharmacy technicians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,314 | $23.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,212 | $24.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,011 | $27.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,466 | $30.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,331 | $37.66 |
Median Salary Position
18.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kennewick
In Kennewick, WA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,017 (2026 est.). At $57,011, the local median is 18.18% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kennewick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kennewick Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Kennewick median: $57,011/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kennewick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $60,202 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +18.18% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Kennewick, WA earn a median of $57,011 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.18% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 5.30% below the Washington state average of $60,202.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kennewick has a cost of living 0.08% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kennewick, WA has a cost-of-living index of 100.079 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,011 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,966 — a 0.08% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,100
2025 BLS Actual
$54,070
2026 Current Est.
$57,011
2019–2027 Growth
+33.3%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,011 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,113 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kennewick metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 19.9% from $45,100 (2019) to $54,070 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,113 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,013 (33.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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) | $49,314 – $51,212 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,212 – $57,011 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,011 – $64,466 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,466 – $78,331 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Kennewick
Analyzing the local job market, there are approximately 280 pharmacy technicians currently employed in the Kennewick area. With a cost of living index of 100.079, the take-home purchasing power for these technicians is relatively favorable considering their salaries. Among various employers, inpatient hospital settings typically offer the highest compensation, driven by roles that require compliance with regulations like USP <797> and <800>. Factors influencing the pay discrepancies include certifications such as CSPT, overnight shift differentials, and lead positions, alongside the traditional pay scales for retail versus hospital settings. To maximize earnings, pharmacy technicians are encouraged to pursue additional certifications and consider opportunities in higher-paying sectors such as specialty or compounding pharmacies. By doing so, they can navigate the nuanced salary landscape and capitalize on the robust employment opportunities available in Kennewick, WA.
More salary data for Kennewick, 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 $54,070 for pharmacy techniciansin the Kennewick 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