Cooks, Restaurant vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Pharmacy Technicians professionals earn $6,630 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 18.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$28,010$59,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $35,100 | $-7,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $36,920 | $-5,610 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $43,460 | $-6,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $48,580 | $-4,970 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | $59,450 | $-12,110 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $44,800 | $-7,070 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $46,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,960 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $45,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,040 |
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: Cooks, Restaurant or Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,630 (18.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cooks, Restaurant?
Cooks, Restaurant salaries range from $28,010 (10th percentile) to $47,340 (90th percentile), with a median of $36,830.
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 Cooks, Restaurant and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 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