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Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

$61,890

Median annual salary

343,040 employed nationally

Pharmacy Technicians

$43,460

Median annual salary

487,920 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals earn $18,430 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 42.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians earns $97,990 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.

Salary Range Comparison

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$38,020 – $97,990
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,100$97,990

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileClinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansPharmacy TechniciansDifference
10th Percentile$38,020$35,100+$2,920
25th Percentile$46,580$36,920+$9,660
Median (50th)$61,890$43,460+$18,430
75th Percentile$80,010$48,580+$31,430
90th Percentile$97,990$59,450+$38,540
Mean (Average)$65,320$44,800+$20,520

Employment Numbers

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

343,040

employed nationwide

Pharmacy Technicians

487,920

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$81,900
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$81,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$80,580
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$80,160
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$78,850

Best Cities for Pharmacy Technicians

CityMedian
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: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians or Pharmacy Technicians?
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $18,430 (42.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salaries range from $38,020 (10th percentile) to $97,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,890.
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 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 343,040 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians has a median salary of $61,890 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