Childcare Workers vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Pharmacy Technicians professionals earn $11,410 more per year than Childcare Workers professionals — that's 35.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$22,900$59,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Childcare Workers | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,900 | $35,100 | $-12,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $36,920 | $-8,920 |
| Median (50th) | $32,050 | $43,460 | $-11,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,960 | $48,580 | $-11,620 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,560 | $59,450 | $-14,890 |
| Mean (Average) | $33,140 | $44,800 | $-11,660 |
Employment Numbers
Childcare Workers
520,180
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Childcare Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $44,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,640 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $40,180 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $39,290 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $38,720 |
Best Cities for Pharmacy Technicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $61,990 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,810 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $54,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Childcare Workers or Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,410 (35.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Childcare Workers?
Childcare Workers salaries range from $22,900 (10th percentile) to $44,560 (90th percentile), with a median of $32,050.
What is the salary range for Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians salaries range from $35,100 (10th percentile) to $59,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,460.
How many Childcare Workers and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 while Pharmacy Technicians earns $43,460. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS