Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Kalamazoo, MI: $23.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Kalamazoo, MI runs $23.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,471 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Kalamazoo's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.8, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,081 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Kalamazoo, Michigan, the projected hourly pay for pharmacy technicians stands at $23.30, slightly above the national median of $23.19. This competitive rate offers significant opportunities for part-time workers, who commonly operate in retail pharmacy settings, specialty compounding locations, and hospital environments. For those working three days a week, balancing their working hours with other commitments, the pay reflects a promising avenue for stability and income generation. Entry-level technicians can expect to earn around $18.37, while those with more experience and specialized skills in areas like hospital sterile compounding may reach up to $29.55 per hour. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, allows prospective pharmacy technicians in Kalamazoo to gauge their earning potential within the field.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.37 | $146.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.31 | $154.45 |
| Median (P50) | $23.30 | $186.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.58 | $196.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.55 | $236.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kalamazoo
Based on $23.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.30/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kalamazoo, MI can expect to earn approximately $48,469 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,963. With a cost-of-living index of 94.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kalamazoo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kalamazoo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $932.09 | $4,039 | $48,469 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $559.25 | $2,423 | $29,081 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $372.84 | $1,616 | $19,387 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Kalamazoo) | $23.30 |
| 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 Kalamazoo, MI earn a median of $48,471 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.48% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.40% above the Michigan state average of $47,335.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.30/hr = $29,081/year (purchasing power: $30,663).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,469/year (purchasing power: $51,106).
CoL index: 94.84 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+64.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Kalamazoo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Kalamazoo grew 47.7% from $14.96/hr (2019) to $22.10/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.57/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 Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo
For pharmacy technicians working part-time, especially those committing to 24 hours per week, the potential earnings can differ dramatically compared to their full-time counterparts. Depending on their specific roles, part-time technicians can take home a yearly income of around $29,000, whereas full-time positions typically yield a more robust total, emphasizing the trade-offs associated with part-time work. As for per-diem opportunities, these roles offer flexible hours and can range from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized hospital compounding assignments commanding significantly more, around $25 to $40 per hour. Employers vary significantly in their pay structures, with retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens often on the lower end, while specialty and hospital pharmacy roles can offer higher compensation to attract skilled technicians. This dynamic encourages many to negotiate carefully, weighing the benefits of hourly pay against health insurance and other benefits provided by full-time positions. To thrive in this market, pharmacy technicians should recognize their worth and be prepared to discuss not only pay rates but also how their skills in USP <797>/<800> compliance can add value to potential employers in Kalamazoo.
More salary data for Kalamazoo, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo. 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