Carpenters vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Carpenters professionals earn $15,850 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 36.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,100$98,370
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $35,100 | +$3,660 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $36,920 | +$10,630 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $43,460 | +$15,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $48,580 | +$27,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $59,450 | +$38,920 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $44,800 | +$19,240 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Carpenters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $80,950 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,090 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,760 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $76,510 |
Best Cities for Pharmacy Technicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $61,990 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,810 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $54,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Carpenters or Pharmacy Technicians?
Carpenters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,850 (36.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Carpenters?
Carpenters salaries range from $38,760 (10th percentile) to $98,370 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,310.
What is the salary range for Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians salaries range from $35,100 (10th percentile) to $59,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,460.
How many Carpenters and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 while Pharmacy Technicians earns $43,460. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS