Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Bethlehem, PA: $19.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Bethlehem, PA runs $19.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,573 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Bethlehem's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,949 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $19.99 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $23.19 per hour. This rate reflects various job settings within the industry, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV clean rooms, and specialty pharmacy compounding areas. Entry-level technicians can expect to start around $15.71, while those in more advanced roles may earn up to $26.18 per hour. For part-time workers, such as those on a typical three-day workweek, this hourly rate offers a solid income option, allowing for flexible schedules in a field that often demands adaptability across different pharmacy environments.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.71 | $125.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.43 | $131.42 |
| Median (P50) | $19.99 | $159.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.64 | $173.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.18 | $209.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethlehem
Based on $19.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.99/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethlehem, PA can expect to earn approximately $41,582 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,990. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bethlehem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethlehem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $799.66 | $3,465 | $41,582 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $479.79 | $2,079 | $24,949 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $319.86 | $1,386 | $16,633 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Bethlehem) | $19.99 |
| 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 Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $41,573 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.82% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 5.20% above the Pennsylvania state average of $39,518.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.99/hr = $24,949/year (purchasing power: $25,615).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,582/year (purchasing power: $42,692).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Bethlehem grew 34.8% from $14.07/hr (2019) to $18.96/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.08/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 Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem
Looking at part-time earning potential, a pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week at the Bethlehem hourly rate would take home approximately $24,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time colleague. The reality for per-diem positions, often sought for flexibility, can be more lucrative, with pharmacy techs billing between $20 to $32 an hour for standard roles and up to $40 for specialized hospital settings. Notably, travel pharmacy technician contracts can offer even greater compensation, ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 a week in high-demand areas. Hourly rates also depend on the type of employer; retail chains like CVS and Walgreens may offer different pay scales compared to hospital pharmacies or specialty compounding facilities. Often, technicians must weigh the benefits of stable pay and health insurance against potentially higher wages that lack benefits. Strong negotiation skills are essential for securing the best possible rate in Bethlehem's competitive pharmacy market.
More salary data for Bethlehem, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Bethlehem in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Bethlehem?
Are pharmacy technicians in Bethlehem paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Bethlehem?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Bethlehem?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Bethlehem. 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 Bethlehem 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