Pharmacy Technician Salary in Washington, DC
Pharmacy Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $46,660 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,038 take-home, or $3,170 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacy technician salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,419
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,893
- Medicare (1.45%)$677
- District of Columbia income tax$1,634
- Take-home pay$38,038
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Pharmacy Technician pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,950 | $18.25 | $31,562 | $2,630 |
| 25th percentile | $39,830 | $19.15 | $32,960 | $2,747 |
| Median (50th) | $46,660 | $22.43 | $38,038 | $3,170 |
| 75th percentile | $57,800 | $27.79 | $46,312 | $3,859 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,220 | $30.88 | $51,053 | $4,254 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,660 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pharmacy technician's $38,038 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,934 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Pharmacy Technician jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.70), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for pharmacy technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #148 of 167 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $75,490 | $58,129 | $52,642 |
| 2 | Spokane, WA | $57,830 | $48,646 | $48,479 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $61,320 | $51,451 | $46,296 |
| 4 | Killeen, TX | $47,400 | $40,266 | $44,184 |
| 5 | Shreveport, LA | $44,890 | $37,289 | $43,990 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $58,470 | $46,843 | $43,914 |
| 7 | Vallejo, CA | $58,670 | $46,989 | $43,316 |
| 8 | Sioux Falls, SD | $45,610 | $38,828 | $42,841 |
| 148 | Washington, DC | $46,660 | $38,038 | $34,934 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 167 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacy technician make in Washington, DC?
The median pharmacy technician salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $46,660 a year, or about $22.43 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,830 and $57,800.
What is a pharmacy technician’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $46,660 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $38,038 a year ($3,170 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,634 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a pharmacy technician?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $45,750. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,934 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #148 of 167 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacy technician afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 63% of a median pharmacy technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,140
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $223,250
- Nurse Anesthetist — $223,150
- Physicians, All Other — $208,710
- Dentists, General — $184,540
- Pediatricians, General — $172,520
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other — $166,230
- Optometrist — $154,690
- Veterinarian — $154,350
- Pharmacist — $150,540