Home Health and Personal Care Aides 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 $8,560 more per year than Home Health and Personal Care Aides professionals — that's 24.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Home Health and Personal Care Aides earns $44,190 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,600 – $44,190
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$25,600$59,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25,600 | $35,100 | $-9,500 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,370 | $36,920 | $-6,550 |
| Median (50th) | $34,900 | $43,460 | $-8,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,980 | $48,580 | $-10,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,190 | $59,450 | $-15,260 |
| Mean (Average) | $34,990 | $44,800 | $-9,810 |
Employment Numbers
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
3,988,140
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Home Health and Personal Care Aides
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,690 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $44,320 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $39,790 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $39,520 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $38,360 |
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: Home Health and Personal Care Aides or Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,560 (24.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Home Health and Personal Care Aides salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $44,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,900.
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 Home Health and Personal Care Aides and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,988,140 Home Health and Personal Care Aides positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Home Health and Personal Care Aides has a median salary of $34,900 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