Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Pittsburgh, PA: $21.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Pittsburgh, PA runs $21.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,053 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Pittsburgh's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,436 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pittsburgh, the projected median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians is $21.18, which is notably below the national median hourly wage of $23.19. This disparity reflects the regional market influences on wages and the demand for pharmacy technicians in various settings such as retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and long-term care facilities. For pharmacy technicians working part-time, such as those on a typical 3-day/week schedule, this hourly rate can translate into a reliable income, while per-diem workers, who often operate in settings that require immediate staffing adjustments, can see hourly earnings that cater to shifts in demand. With an hourly range from $17.99 for entry-level positions up to around $24.86 for highly experienced technicians, there's significant variability depending on factors like experience and specific employer, making these projections essential for current and future pharmacy technicians in PA.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.99 | $143.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.56 | $148.46 |
| Median (P50) | $21.18 | $169.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.89 | $191.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.86 | $198.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pittsburgh
Based on $21.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.18/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pittsburgh, PA can expect to earn approximately $44,060 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,419. With a cost-of-living index of 94.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pittsburgh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pittsburgh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $847.32 | $3,672 | $44,060 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $508.39 | $2,203 | $26,436 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $338.93 | $1,469 | $17,624 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Pittsburgh) | $21.18 |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $44,053 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.68% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 11.40% above the Pennsylvania state average of $39,545.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.18/hr = $26,436/year (purchasing power: $27,924).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,060/year (purchasing power: $46,541).
CoL index: 94.671 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Pittsburgh grew 41.0% from $14.25/hr (2019) to $20.09/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.34/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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
Focusing on earning potential for part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians in Pittsburgh, those working three days a week at 24 hours typically earn an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem pharmacy technician pay in Pittsburgh often spans $20 to $32 per hour, particularly for roles requiring specialized skills like sterile compounding, where the pay can escalate to $25-$40 per hour. Furthermore, travel pharmacy technician contracts for hospital sterile compounding can yield weekly earnings ranging between $1,200 and $1,800, showcasing opportunities for higher pay in shortage areas. Hourly rates also fluctuate based on the type of employer; retail chains generally pay less compared to hospital settings or specialty pharmacies. Many technicians may choose positions with lower hourly pay for the benefits package, such as health insurance, which can impact overall compensation. For those in the market, negotiating hourly pay can hinge on knowledge of local pay scales and the increasing demand for certified technicians trained in compliance areas like USP <797> and <800>.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh. 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