Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Carmel, IN: $22.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Carmel, IN runs $22.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,597 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Carmel's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,555 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Carmel, Indiana, pharmacy technician hourly pay is projected to average $22.88 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $23.19. This competitive wage underscores the opportunities available for part-time workers and per-diem staff within various pharmaceutical settings, including retail pharmacies and hospital IV clean rooms. For those working three days a week, their per-hour compensation can provide a stable income, with entry-level positions starting around $18.69 and top earners reaching rates up to $30.75. Given the cost of living index in Carmel, which stands at 91.3 (below the national average of 100), this hourly rate supports pharmacy technicians in maintaining a reasonable standard of living while navigating diverse work environments dedicated to patient care and medication management.
About the Carmel Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.69 | $149.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.26 | $154.11 |
| Median (P50) | $22.88 | $183.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.23 | $201.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.75 | $245.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carmel
Based on $22.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.88/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carmel, IN can expect to earn approximately $47,591 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,457. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carmel.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carmel
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $915.22 | $3,966 | $47,591 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $549.13 | $2,380 | $28,555 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $366.09 | $1,586 | $19,037 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Carmel) | $22.88 |
| 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 Carmel, IN earn a median of $47,597 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.33% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 5.10% above the Indiana state average of $45,287.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.88/hr = $28,555/year (purchasing power: $31,276).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,591/year (purchasing power: $52,126).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Carmel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Carmel grew 34.8% from $16.10/hr (2019) to $21.70/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.13/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 Carmel 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 Carmel
Examining the earning potential of part-time pharmacy technicians reveals significant differences compared to full-timers. For instance, a pharmacy tech working 24 hours a week at $22.88 would take home just under $30,000 annually, while those in full-time positions enjoy higher financial rewards. Per-diem pharmacy technician pay in Carmel typically ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, depending on the work environment, such as retail vs. hospital settings, where sterile compounding roles can command $25 to $40 hourly. Notably, travel pharmacy tech contracts may provide weekly earnings of $1,200 to $1,800, viable options for those seeking flexibility. It’s important to consider the trade-offs involved; while some technicians may accept positions with lower hourly rates for stable benefits like health insurance, others might prefer higher hourly wages without benefits, highlighting the importance of negotiating based on individual priorities and employer types in Carmel.
More salary data for Carmel, IN:
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 Carmel. 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 Carmel 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