Pharmacy Technicians vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Pharmacy Technicians professionals earn $4,990 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 13.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Pharmacy Technicians earns $59,450 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$63,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Pharmacy Technicians | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,100 | $26,240 | +$8,860 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,920 | $31,310 | +$5,610 |
| Median (50th) | $43,460 | $38,470 | +$4,990 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,580 | $51,930 | $-3,350 |
| 90th Percentile | $59,450 | $63,460 | $-4,010 |
| Mean (Average) | $44,800 | $44,930 | $-130 |
Employment Numbers
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Pharmacy Technicians or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Pharmacy Technicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $4,990 (13.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
How many Pharmacy Technicians and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions and 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term to Pharmacy Technicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Pharmacy Technicians has a median salary of $43,460 while Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $38,470. 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