Pharmacy Technician Salary in Van Buren, AR: $37,946 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Van Buren, AR earns a median $37,946/year (≈ $18.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Van Buren's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $43,666 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Van Buren, Arkansas, earn a median annual salary of $37,946, showcasing the impact of shift differentials and the overnight retail premium that contribute significantly to total compensation. With a salary range extending from $32,736 at the lower end to $48,951 for those in the upper percentile, these figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjustments for regional cost of living. The disparities in pay can often be contextualized within the local job market, where the presence of retail pharmacies and hospitals drives wage variability. Understanding these factors is essential for those considering a career in this field in Van Buren.
About the Van Buren Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,736 | $15.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,391 | $16.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,946 | $18.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,204 | $19.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,951 | $23.53 |
Median Salary Position
21.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Van Buren
In Van Buren, AR, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,215 (2026 est.). At $37,946, the local median is 21.34% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Van Buren: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Van Buren Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Van Buren median: $37,946/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Van Buren Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $40,890 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -21.34% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Van Buren, AR earn a median of $37,946 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.34% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 7.20% below the Arkansas state average of $40,890.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Van Buren has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Van Buren, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $37,946 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,666 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,706
2025 BLS Actual
$35,988
2026 Current Est.
$37,946
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Van Buren (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,706 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,901 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,726 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,701 | Actual |
| 2024 | $26,619 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,988 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,946 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,010 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Van Buren metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $26,706 (2019) to $35,988 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,010 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,304 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Van Buren 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $32,736 – $33,391 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,391 – $37,946 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,946 – $41,204 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,204 – $48,951 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Van Buren
The employment landscape for pharmacy technicians in Van Buren features a small cohort of about five professionals in the area, indicating a competitive environment. The cost of living index, sitting at 86.9, suggests that salaries may not stretch as far as they could in higher-cost areas, making purchasing power an essential factor for residents. Here, major players such as CVS and Walgreens generally offer the most competitive compensation among retail pharmacy operations, but higher pay tiers are achievable in hospital settings, particularly for roles requiring expertise in sterile compounding. Factors such as certifications, experience with 340B programs, and shift differentials are key in widening salary ranges between specialists and those in retail. To maximize earnings in Van Buren, aspiring technicians should consider pursuing the CSPT credential and seeking hospital positions, which could provide a more lucrative path in this growing field.
More salary data for Van Buren, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $35,988 for pharmacy techniciansin the Van Buren metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Van Buren 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