Pharmacy Technician Salary in Carbondale, IL: $42,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Carbondale, IL earns a median $42,047/year (≈ $20.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Carbondale's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $43,303 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carbondale, Illinois, pharmacy technicians can expect a median annual salary of $42,047 in 2026, which reflects a localized perspective on the job market in comparison to the national average of $48,239. The salary ranges from $36,870 at the lower end (P10) to $53,407 at the highest tier (P90), providing a spectrum of earning potential based on experience and setting. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026 to accommodate regional adjustments in cost of living and workforce dynamics. Given the presence of shift differentials and overnight retail premiums, the local market is uniquely positioned to offer technicians additional opportunities to improve their earnings through varied employment settings and roles.
About the Carbondale Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,870 | $17.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,607 | $18.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,047 | $20.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,235 | $21.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,407 | $25.67 |
Median Salary Position
12.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carbondale
In Carbondale, IL, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,537 (2026 est.). At $42,047, the local median is 12.84% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carbondale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carbondale Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Carbondale median: $42,047/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carbondale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $44,874 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -12.84% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Carbondale, IL earn a median of $42,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.84% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 6.30% below the Illinois state average of $44,874.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carbondale has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carbondale, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $42,047 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,303 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,890
2025 BLS Actual
$39,878
2026 Current Est.
$42,047
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Carbondale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,199 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,878 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,335 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carbondale metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 25.0% from $31,890 (2019) to $39,878 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,335 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,445 (39.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carbondale 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) | $36,870 – $37,607 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,607 – $42,047 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,047 – $45,235 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,235 – $53,407 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Carbondale
With only five pharmacy technicians currently employed in the Carbondale area, competition for positions is relatively limited, which can lead to increased opportunities for those entering the field. The cost of living index, standing at 97.1, suggests that housing and general expenses are slightly below the national average, allowing technicians to maintain reasonable purchasing power despite lower pay compared to other regions. Among employers, retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens typically provide competitive wages, although hospital inpatient pharmacies often pay more due to the complexities of sterile compounding work that complies with USP <797> and <800> standards. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing certifications such as the CSPT and seeking roles in acute care settings, where the pay differential can be significant, offers promising prospects for career growth in Carbondale IL.
More salary data for Carbondale, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Carbondale?
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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 $39,878 for pharmacy techniciansin the Carbondale 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 Carbondale 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