Pharmacy Technicians vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $89,620 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 206.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Pharmacy Technicians earns $59,450 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$35,100$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Pharmacy Technicians | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,100 | $79,850 | $-44,750 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,920 | $103,050 | $-66,130 |
| Median (50th) | $43,460 | $133,080 | $-89,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,580 | $169,000 | $-120,420 |
| 90th Percentile | $59,450 | $211,450 | $-152,000 |
| Mean (Average) | $44,800 | $144,570 | $-99,770 |
Employment Numbers
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Pharmacy Technicians or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $89,620 (206.2% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Pharmacy Technicians and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Pharmacy Technicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Pharmacy Technicians has a median salary of $43,460 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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