Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Spearfish, SD: $20.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Spearfish, SD runs $20.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,923 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Spearfish's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,752 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Spearfish, South Dakota, will see pharmacy technicians earning a median hourly pay of $20.63, which is noticeably below the national median of $23.19. This hourly rate provides a competitive wage for those working in various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital sterile compounding areas, and specialty pharmacies. For pharmacy technicians working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to a desirable income without the commitment of full-time hours. Entry-level pharmacy technicians in Spearfish may earn as little as $16.55 per hour, while experienced professionals can command rates at the higher end of the pay scale, reaching up to $25.23 per hour. These projected figures reflect a growing demand for pharmacy technicians across the region, suggesting potential for higher earnings as the labor market evolves.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.55 | $132.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.19 | $145.51 |
| Median (P50) | $20.63 | $165.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.55 | $172.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.23 | $201.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Spearfish
Based on $20.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.63/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Spearfish, SD can expect to earn approximately $42,920 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,762. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Spearfish.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Spearfish
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $825.38 | $3,577 | $42,920 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $495.23 | $2,146 | $25,752 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $330.15 | $1,431 | $17,168 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Spearfish) | $20.63 |
| 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 Spearfish, SD earn a median of $42,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $44,758.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.63/hr = $25,752/year (purchasing power: $27,750).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,920/year (purchasing power: $46,250).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Spearfish grew 34.8% from $14.52/hr (2019) to $19.57/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.76/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 Spearfish 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 Spearfish
When comparing part-time work with full-time earnings, a pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week in Spearfish could expect to make approximately $25,000 annually. Per diem pharmacy technicians in the area typically see a range of $20 to $32 per hour, with those working in hospital environments for sterile compounding often earning between $25 and $40 per hour. Additionally, pharmacy technicians on travel contracts may find lucrative opportunities paying between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly. Hourly rates also vary significantly depending on the employer; retail pharmacy chains generally fall on the lower end of the spectrum, while hospital inpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, and compounding facilities often offer higher compensation. While some technicians may opt for positions with lower hourly pay for benefits such as health insurance, the potential for better pay without benefits exists. For those entering the workforce, negotiating hourly pay based on regional averages and unique qualifications, such as credentials from the PTCB or NHA ExCPT, can lead to more favorable compensation in this competitive field.
More salary data for Spearfish, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Spearfish 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 Spearfish. 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 Spearfish 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