Pharmacy Technician Salary in Hays, KS: $41,055 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Hays, KS earns a median $41,055/year (≈ $19.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Hays's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $45,165 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Hays, Kansas, can anticipate a median annual salary of $41,055 in 2026, a figure significantly lower—by about 14.89%—than the national median of $48,239 for the same year. Local salary projections indicate a range from $35,972 at the 10th percentile to $52,116 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the variations within the job market. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost disparities, reflecting the unique economic environment in Hays, which features a cost of living index of 90.9, indicating a cost structure below the national average. As the demand for pharmacy technicians continues to grow, particularly in specialized areas like hospital sterile compounding, this could affect competitive pay practices within the city.
About the Hays Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,972 | $17.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,691 | $17.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,055 | $19.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,149 | $21.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,116 | $25.05 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hays
In Hays, KS, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,144 (2026 est.). At $41,055, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hays: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hays Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Hays median: $41,055/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hays Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $43,862 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -14.89% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Hays, KS earn a median of $41,055 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 6.40% below the Kansas state average of $43,862.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hays has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hays, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $41,055 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,165 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,894
2025 BLS Actual
$38,937
2026 Current Est.
$41,055
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Hays (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,894 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,873 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,269 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,162 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,299 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,341 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,937 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,055 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,289 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hays metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $28,894 (2019) to $38,937 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,289 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,395 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hays 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) | $35,972 – $36,691 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,691 – $41,055 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,055 – $44,149 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,149 – $52,116 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Hays
In Hays, only five pharmacy technicians are currently employed, making job opportunities somewhat limited, which can influence the dynamics of pharmacy technician pay in Hays, KS. Despite the lower-than-national average salaries, the local cost-of-living index suggests that take-home purchasing power might be manageable for those in this profession. Retail pharmacy chains, including CVS and Walgreens, are likely to offer competitive wages, but hospital inpatient pharmacies typically pay more due to the complexities of the work involved, especially in sterile compounding that aligns with USP <797> and <800> standards. Factors such as CSPT certification stipends, shift differentials, and lead pay can also affect earnings. To maximize pay in this market, pharmacy technicians should focus on obtaining relevant certifications, such as PTCB or NHA ExCPT, and consider pursuing opportunities within hospitals or specialized facilities that traditionally offer higher pay bands compared to retail environments.
More salary data for Hays, KS:
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 $38,937 for pharmacy techniciansin the Hays 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 Hays 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