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Salary comparison

Pharmacy Technicians vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess out-earn Pharmacy Technicianss by $19K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Pharmacy Technicianss land at $45,750 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess at $64,400. The education gap is real: pharmacy technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Pharmacy Technicianss is Washington ($58,900); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess it's Washington ($83,150).

Pharmacy Technicians
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$45,750
$64,400
Hourly rate
$22/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$36,020
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$61,040
$83,440
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
471,680
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
Washington
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Pharmacy Technicians median pay.

State
Pharmacy Technicians
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Washington
$58,900
$83,150
California
$55,110
$79,750
Oregon
$54,900
$80,470
Alaska
$52,640
$80,800
Colorado
$49,970
$73,880
Nevada
$47,980
$76,160
Arizona
$47,640
$77,070
District of Columbia
$47,410
$75,740
New Hampshire
$47,360
$77,110
Connecticut
$47,050
$73,690
Illinois
$46,650
$75,000
Massachusetts
$46,470
$80,220
Maryland
$45,120
$74,660
Rhode Island
$44,380
$80,090
New Jersey
$39,610
$75,160

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Pharmacy Technicianss or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess?

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess earn more nationally. The median is $45,750 for Pharmacy Technicianss versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess, a difference of $19K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Pharmacy Technicians or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Pharmacy Technicians or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Pharmacy Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Pharmacy Technicianss get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Pharmacy Technicianss at $58,900/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Pharmacy Technicians vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Pharmacy Technicianss earn $58,900 vs. $83,150 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Pharmacy Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Pharmacy Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess by take-home payExplore →How to become a pharmacy techniciansGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →