Registered Nurses vs. Pharmacy Technicians: Who Earns More?
Registered Nurses out-earn Pharmacy Technicians by $52K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Registered Nurses land at $97,550 and Pharmacy Technicians at $45,750. The education gap is real: registered nurse programs typically require bachelor's degree, while pharmacy technician programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Registered Nurses is California ($140,270); for Pharmacy Technicians it's Washington ($58,900).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Registered Nurses median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Registered Nurses or Pharmacy Technicians?
Registered Nurses earn more nationally. The median is $97,550 for Registered Nurses versus $45,750 for Pharmacy Technicians, a difference of $52K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Registered Nurses or Pharmacy Technicians?
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, Registered Nurses or Pharmacy Technicians?
Registered Nurses typically requires bachelor's degree. Pharmacy Technicians requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Registered Nurses get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Registered Nurses at $140,270/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Registered Nurses vs. Pharmacy Technicians pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Registered Nurses earn $140,270 vs. $55,110 for Pharmacy Technicians. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.