SOC 29-2052 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Pharmacy Technicians — Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Pennsylvania is $40,040 a year, trailing the national median of $45,750 by 12.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Pennsylvania is $40,040 a year, trailing the national median of $45,750 by 12.5%. Half of workers earn between $36,160 and $46,870. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,140 and the ninetieth at $51,290.
The area has 18,880 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.03 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Pennsylvania ranks number 45th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $44,880. Of the 778 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 659th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,140 | −23.2% |
| 25th | $36,160 | −21.0% |
| Median (50th) | $40,040 | −12.5% |
| 75th | $46,870 | +2.4% |
| 90th | $51,290 | +12.1% |
| Mean | $42,300 | −7.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $44,880 | 9,030 | |
| 2 | Pittsburgh | $41,780 | 4,270 | |
| 3 | Harrisburg | $39,940 | 910 | |
| 4 | Lancaster | $39,580 | 650 | |
| 5 | Williamsport | $38,500 | 100 | |
| 6 | Allentown | $38,490 | 1,160 | |
| 7 | Lebanon | $37,890 | 130 | |
| 8 | Johnstown | $37,540 | 170 | |
| 9 | Chambersburg | $37,440 | 180 | |
| 10 | State College | $37,400 | 160 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $40,040 goes as far as $41,025 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$40,040as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,025US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $40,040 a year, 12.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,140 to $51,290 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 18,880 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 45th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $44,880.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Pharmacy Technicians in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage is $40,040, or $19.25 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $45,750, so pay in Pennsylvania is 12.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Pennsylvania earns more than $51,290 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,140 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Philadelphia, at $44,880 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 18,880 jobs in this occupation in Pennsylvania. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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