Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in El Mirage, AZ: $23.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in El Mirage, AZ runs $23.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,049 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against El Mirage's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,831 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the pharmacy technician hourly pay in El Mirage, Arizona, is projected to reach a median of $23.10, slightly under the national median of $23.19. This rate is crucial for those considering part-time opportunities, such as a typical schedule of three days a week, where technicians can earn a respectable wage while pursuing additional commitments. Per-diem workers in various settings—whether at retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV clean rooms, or mail-order operations—will find the hourly earnings ranging from $17.87 for entry-level positions to as high as $30.47 for experienced technicians or those in specialized roles. By analyzing these hourly figures, it's clear that they are derived from annual salary estimates, providing a comprehensive snapshot of what pharmacy technicians in El Mirage can expect in terms of earnings.
About the El Mirage Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.87 | $142.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.98 | $159.85 |
| Median (P50) | $23.10 | $184.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.32 | $202.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.47 | $243.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Mirage
Based on $23.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.10/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Mirage, AZ can expect to earn approximately $48,052 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,722. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Mirage.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Mirage
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $924.08 | $4,004 | $48,052 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $554.45 | $2,403 | $28,831 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $369.63 | $1,602 | $19,221 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (El Mirage) | $23.10 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in El Mirage, AZ earn a median of $48,049 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 3.00% below the Arizona state average of $49,535.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.10/hr = $28,831/year (purchasing power: $29,270).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,052/year (purchasing power: $48,784).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in El Mirage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in El Mirage grew 34.8% from $16.26/hr (2019) to $21.91/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.36/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Mirage metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in El Mirage
Looking deeper into the earning potential, a pharmacy technician working part-time at 24 hours per week can bring home an annual income substantially lower than their full-time counterparts, translating to a flexible yet potentially challenging financial landscape. Per diem positions present an enticing alternative; many technicians in El Mirage can command rates between $20 and $32 per hour, with specialized roles in sterile compounding often attracting $25 to $40 per hour due to the demands of compliance with USP <797> and <800> standards. Employers such as retail pharmacy chains, hospitals, and specialty pharmacies tend to vary significantly in their hourly offerings. Technicians often face the dilemma of accepting lower pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance versus pursuing higher hourly rates without such coverage. For those negotiating salaries, being aware of local job market trends and employer expectations in El Mirage can provide insights for achieving a favorable wage outcome.
More salary data for El Mirage, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in El Mirage in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in El Mirage. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for El Mirage is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov