Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Grand Island, NE: $23.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Grand Island, NE runs $23.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,367 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Grand Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.7, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,621 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Island, Nebraska, the pharmacy technician hourly pay is notably competitive, with a median rate of $23.73. This figure places local technicians above the national median hourly rate of $23.19, reflecting a healthily growing market for pharmacy roles in the region. For part-time workers, particularly those working three days a week, this wage not only ensures a solid income but also accommodates flexible scheduling that pharmacy settings, such as retail counters and hospital IV clean rooms, commonly allow. Technicians in entry-level positions can expect hourly pay starting around $18.67, while experienced professionals may earn up to $25.61, depending on their specific workplaces and duties.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.67 | $149.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.37 | $154.95 |
| Median (P50) | $23.73 | $189.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.63 | $197.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.61 | $204.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Island
Based on $23.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.73/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Island, NE can expect to earn approximately $49,368 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,481. With a cost-of-living index of 86.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $949.38 | $4,114 | $49,368 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $569.63 | $2,468 | $29,621 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $379.75 | $1,646 | $19,747 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Grand Island) | $23.73 |
| 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 Grand Island, NE earn a median of $49,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.34% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 11.80% above the Nebraska state average of $44,157.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.73/hr = $29,621/year (purchasing power: $34,182).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,368/year (purchasing power: $56,969).
CoL index: 86.657 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Grand Island grew 28.3% from $17.55/hr (2019) to $22.51/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.03/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 Grand Island 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 Grand Island
Considering the perspective of part-time pharmacy technicians, a three-day workweek (totaling roughly 24 hours) could yield an annual income significantly lower than full-time counterparts but still offers a solid earning potential. Per-diem and agency pharmacy technicians often see hourly wages ranging between $20 and $32, with hospital sterile compounding roles commanding higher rates of $25 to $40 per hour. The demand for pharmacy technicians, particularly in specialized settings such as compounding pharmacies and long-term care facilities, presents opportunities for those willing to take on per-diem work or travel contracts, which can pay between $1,200 and $1,800 a week. It's common for technicians to negotiate for higher hourly rates in exchange for fewer benefits, and it's advisable to consider the importance of health insurance when evaluating job offers. For those in Grand Island, understanding where to apply may reveal varying pay structures based on employer type, necessitating a keen approach to discussions surrounding wages, especially in a post-pandemic environment where many retail roles have seen significant shifts in compensation.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Grand Island 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 Grand Island. 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