Pharmacy Technicians vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Pharmacy Technicians professionals earn $8,880 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 25.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Pharmacy Technicians earns $59,450 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$59,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Pharmacy Technicians | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,100 | $25,600 | +$9,500 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,920 | $29,140 | +$7,780 |
| Median (50th) | $43,460 | $34,580 | +$8,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,580 | $37,850 | +$10,730 |
| 90th Percentile | $59,450 | $47,930 | +$11,520 |
| Mean (Average) | $44,800 | $37,150 | +$7,650 |
Employment Numbers
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Pharmacy Technicians or Retail Salespersons?
Pharmacy Technicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,880 (25.7% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Pharmacy Technicians and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Pharmacy Technicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Pharmacy Technicians has a median salary of $43,460 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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