Electrical Engineers vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $68,450 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 157.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electrical Engineers earns $175,460 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,100$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electrical Engineers | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,670 | $35,100 | +$39,570 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,590 | $36,920 | +$50,670 |
| Median (50th) | $111,910 | $43,460 | +$68,450 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,630 | $48,580 | +$93,050 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,460 | $59,450 | +$116,010 |
| Mean (Average) | $120,980 | $44,800 | +$76,180 |
Employment Numbers
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
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: Electrical Engineers or Pharmacy Technicians?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $68,450 (157.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
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 Electrical Engineers and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 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