Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Gurnee, IL: $21.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Gurnee, IL runs $21.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,239 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Gurnee's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,542 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Gurnee, Illinois, the pharmacy technician hourly pay is projected to be $21.27 in 2026, which trails slightly behind the national average of $23.19. This hourly rate provides a solid foundation for both part-time and per-diem pharmacists. For those opting for a 24-hour workweek—typically broken down over three days—this translates to an income that can support a modest living while maintaining flexibility. Hourly compensation can vary significantly; entry-level positions might start around $17.03, while experienced technicians can earn up to $26.68. As pharmacy technicians work in varied environments, such as retail counters, hospital settings, and specialized compounding facilities, their earnings potential can shift considerably based on their employer and job responsibilities.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.03 | $136.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.53 | $140.28 |
| Median (P50) | $21.27 | $170.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.46 | $179.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.68 | $213.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gurnee
Based on $21.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.27/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gurnee, IL can expect to earn approximately $44,236 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,521. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gurnee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gurnee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $850.69 | $3,686 | $44,236 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $510.41 | $2,212 | $26,542 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $340.28 | $1,475 | $17,694 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Gurnee) | $21.27 |
| 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 Gurnee, IL earn a median of $44,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.29% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $44,913.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.27/hr = $26,542/year (purchasing power: $27,334).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,236/year (purchasing power: $45,557).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Gurnee grew 34.8% from $14.97/hr (2019) to $20.17/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.42/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 Gurnee 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 Gurnee
The financial implications of part-time work can be significant for pharmacy technicians in Gurnee. A pharmacy technician working three days a week could take home around $33,000 annually, contrasting sharply with a full-time counterpart whose earnings typically reach upwards of $44,239. Additionally, per-diem and agency roles present different earning potentials, with some billing between $20 and $32 per hour, while specialized sterile compounding per-diem positions could pay between $25 and $40 hourly. Those seeking travel contracts might see lucrative weekly earnings of $1,200 to $1,800, especially in hospitals facing technician shortages. Hourly rates fluctuate across various employers, with retail pharmacy chains typically offering lower compensation compared to hospitals or specialty pharmacies. While some pharmacy technicians may accept positions that offer less pay but health benefits, others might prioritize higher hourly rates at the cost of employer-covered health insurance. When negotiating pay in this competitive market, candidates should emphasize their certifications, such as the CSPT credential, and their familiarity with USP <797> and <800> guidelines to bolster their marketability.
More salary data for Gurnee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Gurnee. 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 Gurnee 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