Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses vs. Pharmacy Technicians: Who Earns More?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses out-earn Pharmacy Technicians by $19K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses land at $64,400 and Pharmacy Technicians at $45,750. The education gap is real: licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs typically require postsecondary nondegree award, while pharmacy technician programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses is Washington ($83,150); for Pharmacy Technicians it's Washington ($58,900).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Pharmacy Technicians?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn more nationally. The median is $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses versus $45,750 for Pharmacy Technicians, a difference of $19K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 6.4% projected growth, compared to 2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Pharmacy Technicians?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses typically requires postsecondary nondegree award. Pharmacy Technicians requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses get paid the most?
Washington is the top-paying state for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses at $83,150/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses vs. Pharmacy Technicians pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn $83,150 vs. $58,900 for Pharmacy Technicians. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.