Medical Assistants vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Medical Assistants professionals earn $740 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 1.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Medical Assistants earns $57,830 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,020$59,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Medical Assistants | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,020 | $35,100 | $-80 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,610 | $36,920 | +$690 |
| Median (50th) | $44,200 | $43,460 | +$740 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,160 | $48,580 | $-420 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,830 | $59,450 | $-1,620 |
| Mean (Average) | $44,720 | $44,800 | $-80 |
Employment Numbers
Medical Assistants
793,460
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
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: Medical Assistants or Pharmacy Technicians?
Medical Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $740 (1.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
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 Medical Assistants and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 793,460 Medical Assistants positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Medical Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Medical Assistants has a median salary of $44,200 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