Pharmacy Technician Salary in Richland, WA: $58,200 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Richland, WA earns a median $58,200/year (≈ $27.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Richland's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $54,190 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richland, Washington, pharmacy technicians can expect a robust median annual salary of $58,200 in 2026, a figure significantly higher than the national median of $48,239. The local salary range spans from $45,647 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $75,663 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of roles and responsibilities within the profession. These estimates are informed by 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, making Richland a lucrative option for pharmacy technicians. The region’s job market is influenced not only by local pharmacy operations but also by factors such as shift differentials and the premiums associated with overnight retail work, which collectively contribute to a competitive environment for earning potential.
About the Richland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,647 | $21.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,583 | $22.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,200 | $27.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,837 | $30.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,663 | $36.38 |
Median Salary Position
20.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richland
In Richland, WA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,016 (2026 est.). At $58,200, the local median is 20.65% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richland Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Richland median: $58,200/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $60,186 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +20.65% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Richland, WA earn a median of $58,200 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.65% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $60,186.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richland has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richland, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,200 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,190 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,960
2025 BLS Actual
$55,197
2026 Current Est.
$58,200
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Richland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,348 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,327 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,593 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,622 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,442 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,197 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,200 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,366 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richland metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $40,960 (2019) to $55,197 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,366 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,406 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richland 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) | $45,647 – $47,583 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,583 – $58,200 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,200 – $62,837 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,837 – $75,663 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Richland
The pharmacy technician job market in Richland is relatively small, with only 15 individuals currently employed in this role. Despite the limited number of positions, the cost-of-living index for Richland is 107.4, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average, which affects take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers with the highest wages often include hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, thereby increasing competition for roles that demand specific certifications like the CSPT. This wage disparity is fueled by various factors such as shift differentials, the complexity of the work involved in sterile compounding, and the difference in pay structures between retail chains and hospitals. For pharmacy technicians looking to maximize their earnings in Richland, pursuing PTCB certification and actively seeking positions in higher-paying sectors, like hospitals or specialty pharmacies, can significantly enhance their salary prospects.
More salary data for Richland, 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 $55,197 for pharmacy techniciansin the Richland 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 Richland 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