Pharmacy Technicians vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nurses out-earn Pharmacy Technicians by $52K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Pharmacy Technicians land at $45,750 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: pharmacy technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Pharmacy Technicians is Washington ($58,900); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Pharmacy Technicians median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Pharmacy Technicians or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses earn more nationally. The median is $45,750 for Pharmacy Technicians versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $52K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Pharmacy Technicians or Registered Nurses?
Pharmacy Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 6.4% projected growth, compared to 4.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Pharmacy Technicians or Registered Nurses?
Pharmacy Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Pharmacy Technicians get paid the most?
Washington is the top-paying state for Pharmacy Technicians 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. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Pharmacy Technicians earn $58,900 vs. $124,200 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.