Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $21.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY runs $21.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,213 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Louisville/Jefferson County's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,134 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Louisville/Jefferson County, pharmacy technicians can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $21.74 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $23.19 per hour, reflecting the overall regional salary variations due to factors such as cost of living and local demand for technicians. For part-time workers typically clocking in three days a week, this hourly rate translates to approximately $1,042 bi-weekly for 24 hours of work. Entry-level technicians may start around $17.92 per hour, while top earners can make up to $29.00 per hour, depending on experience and settings such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, and specialty compounding facilities. These figures are based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2025, projected to 2026.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.92 | $143.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.18 | $153.44 |
| Median (P50) | $21.74 | $173.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.35 | $194.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.00 | $231.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville/Jefferson County
Based on $21.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.74/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY can expect to earn approximately $45,223 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,090. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville/Jefferson County.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville/Jefferson County
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $869.67 | $3,769 | $45,223 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $521.80 | $2,261 | $27,134 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $347.87 | $1,507 | $18,089 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Louisville/Jefferson County) | $21.74 |
| 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $45,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.27% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 10.30% above the Kentucky state average of $40,991.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.74/hr = $27,134/year (purchasing power: $29,153).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,223/year (purchasing power: $48,588).
CoL index: 93.074 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 36.2% from $15.14/hr (2019) to $20.62/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.92/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 Louisville/Jefferson County 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 Louisville/Jefferson County
Part-time pharmacy technicians earning $21.74 per hour will see substantial differences in their annual take-home compared to full-time professionals. For those working three days a week, the annual earnings could reach around $27,000, a stark contrast to those working full-time, who might see their income significantly boosted. Per diem and agency roles provide further variation, with pay rates generally ranging from $20-$32 per hour for regular assignments. Specialized positions in hospital sterile compounding can command even higher per diem rates, ranging from $25 to $40 per hour, especially in urgent closure markets. Employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and hospital pharmacies each have their own pay structures, which may include benefits that affect overall compensation. Conversely, while some may prefer higher hourly rates without benefits, others opt for stability provided by healthcare packages. When negotiating for pay, pharmacy technicians in Louisville/Jefferson County should consider their unique skills and certifications, such as USP <797>/<800> compliance and any additional credentials like CSPT, to enhance their bargaining power in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Louisville/Jefferson County 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 Louisville/Jefferson County. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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