Pharmacy Technicians vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $50,140 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 115.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Pharmacy Technicians earns $59,450 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$35,100$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Pharmacy Technicians | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,100 | $66,030 | $-30,930 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,920 | $78,610 | $-41,690 |
| Median (50th) | $43,460 | $93,600 | $-50,140 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,580 | $107,960 | $-59,380 |
| 90th Percentile | $59,450 | $135,320 | $-75,870 |
| Mean (Average) | $44,800 | $98,430 | $-53,630 |
Employment Numbers
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Pharmacy Technicians or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $50,140 (115.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Pharmacy Technicians and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Pharmacy Technicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Pharmacy Technicians has a median salary of $43,460 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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