Pharmacy Technician Salary in Rockford, IL: $47,627 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Rockford, IL earns a median $47,627/year (≈ $22.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $51,682 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Rockford, Illinois, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $47,627, slightly below the national median of $48,239. The salary range for this role stretches from $37,052 at the 10th percentile to $56,748 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for earnings growth based on experience and job setting. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. Given the strong community presence of retail chains and healthcare facilities, Rockford's job market for pharmacy technicians is poised for steady demand, reflecting broader trends in pharmacy technician roles across the country.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,052 | $17.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,002 | $18.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,627 | $22.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,636 | $25.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,748 | $27.29 |
Median Salary Position
1.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,696 (2026 est.). At $47,627, the local median is 1.27% below the national median of $48,239.
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At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be above the median
How Rockford Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Rockford median: $47,627/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $44,889 | +6.10% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | -1.27% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Rockford, IL earn a median of $47,627 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.27% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 6.10% above the Illinois state average of $44,889.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $47,627 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,682 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,200
2025 BLS Actual
$45,170
2026 Current Est.
$47,627
2019–2027 Growth
+72.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,627 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,218 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 54.7% from $29,200 (2019) to $45,170 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,218 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,018 (71.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $37,052 – $39,002 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,002 – $47,627 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,627 – $52,636 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,636 – $56,748 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Rockford
With approximately 560 pharmacy technicians employed in Rockford, the local job market offers a solid foundation for those entering the profession. The cost of living index for Rockford, at 92.154, is lower than the national average, which means that the take-home pay can stretch further in covering everyday expenses. Among local employers, pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS are competitive, especially as retail wages have seen an increase following post-2020 demand due to vaccination efforts. High-skilled positions within hospitals or specialty pharmacies can command better wages, driven by factors like 340B contract work, and the need for compliance with USP <797> and <800> regulations. For those looking to maximize their pharmacy technician pay in Rockford, pursuing certifications such as the CSPT credential or focusing on roles that involve sterile compounding could yield higher salaries and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Rockford, IL:
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 $45,170 for pharmacy techniciansin the Rockford 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
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