Pharmacy Technician Salary in University Place, WA: $59,032 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in University Place, WA earns a median $59,032/year (≈ $28.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in University Place's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $54,965 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in University Place, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $59,032 in 2026, which reflects a significant premium compared to the national median of $48,239. This position sees salaries ranging from $46,773 at the lower 10th percentile to $79,041 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse pay opportunities within the sector. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments reveal a growing demand for pharmacy technicians, a trend fueled by both an aging population and an increasing reliance on health services. This market caters not only to retail settings but also to more specialized hospital sterile compounding roles, where the salary differential tends to be substantial.
About the University Place Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,773 | $22.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,296 | $23.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,032 | $28.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,085 | $29.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,041 | $38.00 |
Median Salary Position
22.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Place
In University Place, WA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,268 (2026 est.). At $59,032, the local median is 22.37% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Place: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Place Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
University Place median: $59,032/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Place Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $60,175 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +22.37% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in University Place, WA earn a median of $59,032 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.37% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $60,175.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Place has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University Place, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,032 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,965 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,546
2025 BLS Actual
$55,986
2026 Current Est.
$59,032
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in University Place (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,546 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,953 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,245 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,317 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,768 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,986 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,032 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Place metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $41,546 (2019) to $55,986 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,697 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Place 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) | $46,773 – $48,296 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,296 – $59,032 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,032 – $62,085 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,085 – $79,041 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in University Place
With only six pharmacy technicians employed in University Place, the local job market is relatively small but stable. The cost of living index for this area stands at 107.4, indicating that daily expenses are above average, which affects take-home purchasing power for those in the profession. Retail chains like CVS and Walgreens typically offer lower pay compared to hospital inpatient pharmacies, while mail-order and specialty pharmacies often attract higher salaries. Factors such as the CSPT certification stipend, shift differentials for evening and overnight shifts, and lead pay can impact earnings. For technicians looking to maximize their salary in University Place, prioritizing skills aligned with hospital roles and pursuing certifications could be advantageous, as these positions generally offer the highest compensation within the market.
More salary data for University Place, 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 $55,986 for pharmacy techniciansin the University Place 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 University Place 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