Computer Programmers vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $55,210 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 127.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,100$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $35,100 | +$17,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $36,920 | +$34,940 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $43,460 | +$55,210 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $48,580 | +$80,380 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $59,450 | +$102,640 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $44,800 | +$58,840 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Programmers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,560 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $122,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $122,000 |
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: Computer Programmers or Pharmacy Technicians?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $55,210 (127.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
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 Computer Programmers and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 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