Pharmacy Tech Pay

Addison vs Rockford: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Addison, IL and Rockford, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Addison, IL
$44,379
$21.34/hr
Rockford, IL
$47,627
$22.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAddison, ILRockford, IL
Median Salary$44,379$47,627
Hourly Rate$21.34$22.90
Entry Level (P10)$35,760$37,052
25th Percentile$36,749$39,002
75th Percentile$47,991$52,636
Top Earner (P90)$57,500$56,748
Total Employed6560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Addison ($44,379) and Rockford ($47,627) pharmacy technician salaries.AddisonRockfordMedian Salary$44,379$47,627Entry Level (P10)$35,760$37,052Top Earner (P90)$57,500$56,748US Median $48,239

Verdict

Rockford, IL offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Addison.

The salary gap between Addison and Rockford is $3,248 (7.32%). Rockford's median is -1.27% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Addison spans $21,740,Rockford spans $19,696. Addison has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Addison
P10 (Entry)$35,760
P25$36,749
Median$44,379
P75$47,991
P90 (Top)$57,500
Rockford
P10 (Entry)$37,052
P25$39,002
Median$47,627
P75$52,636
P90 (Top)$56,748

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($51,682 effective) pays 13.08% more than Addison ($45,704 effective).

Addison
Nominal: $44,379
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $45,704
Rockford
Nominal: $47,627
CoL Index: 92.154
Adjusted: $51,682

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Addison if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($57,500)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,627/year)
  • Larger job market (560 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,682)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Addison grew 4.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 54.7% growth in Rockford over the same period.

Addison, IL

+4.4%

$40,316 (2024) → $42,089 (2025)

Rockford, IL

+54.7%

$29,200 (2019) → $45,170 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Addison or Rockford?

Rockford has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $47,627/year, compared to Addison at $44,379/year — a difference of $3,248 (7.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Addison and Rockford?

Addison pharmacy technicians earn $21.34/hr while Rockford hygienists earn $22.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Addison to Rockford as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Addison and Rockford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Addison = $45,704, Rockford = $51,682), job availability (6 vs 560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Addison vs Rockford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $35,760 in Addison and $37,052 in Rockford. The Rockford area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD

Career Analyst

Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov