Human Resources Specialists vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn $29,450 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 67.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Human Resources Specialists earns $126,540 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,100$126,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Specialists | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $45,440 | $35,100 | +$10,340 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,870 | $36,920 | +$18,950 |
| Median (50th) | $72,910 | $43,460 | +$29,450 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,270 | $48,580 | +$48,690 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,540 | $59,450 | +$67,090 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,730 | $44,800 | +$34,930 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
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: Human Resources Specialists or Pharmacy Technicians?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $29,450 (67.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
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 Human Resources Specialists and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Human Resources Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Specialists has a median salary of $72,910 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