Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Cincinnati, OH: $20.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Cincinnati, OH runs $20.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,693 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Cincinnati's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.4, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,620 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Cincinnati, Ohio, earn a median hourly rate of $20.53, which is below the national hourly median of $23.19. This disparity may shape earning potential for various work arrangements. For part-time employees working three days a week, they can expect to earn around $1,100 weekly before taxes, making the role attractive for those seeking flexibility. Entry-level positions start at about $17.71 per hour, while experienced technicians can make up to $28.82 hourly. These numbers reflect official projections based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the settings where pharmacy technicians work, including retail counters, hospital pharmacies, and specialty areas like compounding and long-term care.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.71 | $141.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.01 | $144.07 |
| Median (P50) | $20.53 | $164.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.42 | $195.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.82 | $230.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cincinnati
Based on $20.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.53/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cincinnati, OH can expect to earn approximately $42,701 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,635. With a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cincinnati.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cincinnati
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $821.17 | $3,558 | $42,701 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $492.70 | $2,135 | $25,620 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $328.47 | $1,423 | $17,080 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Cincinnati) | $20.53 |
| 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 Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $42,693 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.50% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.10% below the Ohio state average of $43,167.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.53/hr = $25,620/year (purchasing power: $26,864).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,701/year (purchasing power: $44,774).
CoL index: 95.37 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Cincinnati grew 37.4% from $14.17/hr (2019) to $19.47/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.65/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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati
The earning potential for pharmacy technicians working part-time in Cincinnati is quite favorable, as those scheduled for a typical 24-hour workweek could realize a take-home pay of nearly $28,000 annually, depending on their specific rate. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Cincinnati can range from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles in sterile compounding often commanding rates from $25 to $40 per hour. Travel pharmacy technician contracts for hospital roles can further increase this figure, sometimes reaching $1,200 to $1,800 a week in shortage areas. Variability in hourly rates also depends not only on the employer type—ranging from retail chains and hospital environments to mail-order and specialty pharmacies—but on the essential benefits each role offers. Many technicians must weigh the trade-off between a higher hourly wage with no benefits and lower pay that includes health insurance. For those negotiating hourly pay, it’s advisable to stay informed about market rates and consider both monetary and non-monetary benefits in their discussions.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Cincinnati in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Cincinnati?
Are pharmacy technicians in Cincinnati paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Cincinnati?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Cincinnati?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 Cincinnati. 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