How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Washington
Washington employs approximately 8,150 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,900 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 49,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a pharmacy technician in Washington, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Washington
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Washington? Washington requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacist Assistant, Pharmacist Intern Registration. The licensing authority is the Department of Health 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Washington? Yes. Washington has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Department of Health oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Washington? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Washington is $58,900 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,270 and experienced professionals can earn $79,090 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Health
- Median wage (Washington): $58,900 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Washington
The Department of Health oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Washington 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders. |
| Pharmacist Assistant | Individuals must be employed in a pharmacy, in a position with access to drugs and patient specific information. |
| Pharmacist Intern Registration | Registration RequirementsChapter 18.64 RCWChapter 246-858 WACQualificationsApplicants for a pharmacist internship registration must be enrolled as a student of pharmacy in an accredited school or coll… |
| Pharmacist | Individuals must submit application, Must provide a complete list of professional education and experience including college or university and a list of practice history from graduation, take the Nort… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Washington
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Washington vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 6,650 | $46,660 | $49,550 | $37,950 | $64,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 4,630 | $61,320 | $64,360 | $48,000 | $82,040 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 2,460 | $58,590 | $57,550 | $46,620 | $71,370 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 740 | $57,830 | $56,990 | $45,540 | $72,130 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 280 | $54,070 | $56,840 | $46,770 | $74,290 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 260 | $57,090 | $58,310 | $46,280 | $72,760 |
| Yakima | 230 | $51,330 | $53,970 | $44,450 | $62,360 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 200 | $59,380 | $59,680 | $45,910 | $76,150 |
| Bellingham | 180 | $56,010 | $56,720 | $39,400 | $78,460 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | 140 | $55,790 | $57,020 | $46,490 | $68,890 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | 130 | $56,600 | $56,940 | $40,890 | $67,220 |
| Longview-Kelso | 100 | $58,250 | $56,360 | $47,220 | $66,210 |
| Lewiston | 90 | $50,270 | $50,230 | $39,430 | $61,130 |
| Walla Walla | 60 | $57,190 | $56,710 | $44,970 | $70,550 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Pharmacy technicians in Washington
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Washington according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 4,630 | $61,320 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 740 | $57,830 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 280 | $54,070 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 260 | $57,090 |
| Yakima | 230 | $51,330 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 8,150 pharmacy technicians 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a pharmacy technician in Washington with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Washington.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Washington is $58,900, which is $15,440 above the national median of $43,460 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Health - Licensing Information: http://www.doh.wa.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |