Data Scientists vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $69,130 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 159.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,100$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $35,100 | +$28,550 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $36,920 | +$45,710 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $43,460 | +$69,130 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $48,580 | +$107,230 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $59,450 | +$134,960 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $44,800 | +$79,790 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Pharmacy Technicians?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $69,130 (159.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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