Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Wilmington, DE: $23.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Wilmington, DE runs $23.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,130 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,884 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Pharmacy technicians in Wilmington, Delaware can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $23.14, a figure that is slightly below the national hourly median of $23.19. This rate aligns well for both part-time technicians working in retail pharmacies and those engaged in hospital pharmacy environments, where roles might include managing medication preparations in IV clean rooms or working efficiently in pharmacy automation areas. For technicians just entering the profession, the hourly pay starts around $18.01, while those with more experience and expertise can earn up to $29.91. The variability in pay often reflects specific settings, such as long-term care pharmacies or specialty compounding hoods, highlighting the diverse earning potential within Wilmington’s pharmacy sector.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.01 | $144.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.81 | $150.48 |
| Median (P50) | $23.14 | $185.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.88 | $199.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.91 | $239.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $23.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.14/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, DE can expect to earn approximately $48,140 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,773. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $925.76 | $4,012 | $48,140 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $555.46 | $2,407 | $28,884 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $370.31 | $1,605 | $19,256 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Wilmington) | $23.14 |
| 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 Wilmington, DE earn a median of $48,130 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.23% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.90% below the Delaware state average of $49,062.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.14/hr = $28,884/year (purchasing power: $28,401).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,140/year (purchasing power: $47,335).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Wilmington grew 34.8% from $16.29/hr (2019) to $21.95/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.40/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Analyzing the earning potential for part-time pharmacy technicians reveals insights into their financial landscape. For instance, a technician working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, would realistically take home about $30,000 annually, while full-time workers could significantly increase their total earnings. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Wilmington ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles in sterile compounding attracting higher rates, sometimes between $25 to $40 per hour. Job types across Wilmington contribute to different earnings; retail positions may offer less compared to hospital settings, where compliance with USP <797> and <800> regulations is essential and often results in higher pay. Technicians must also weigh trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits, as some may opt for lower pay in exchange for health coverage, while others pursue higher hourly wages without perks. Negotiating strategies for hourly workers can improve financial outcomes, particularly in this evolving job market where demand for certified pharmacy technicians remains high, thanks to increased responsibilities since the pandemic.
More salary data for Wilmington, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Wilmington in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Wilmington?
Are pharmacy technicians in Wilmington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Wilmington?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Wilmington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
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 Wilmington. 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 Wilmington 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