Pharmacy Technician Salary in Lawrence, KS: $41,775 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Lawrence, KS earns a median $41,775/year (≈ $20.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $46,292 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Lawrence, Kansas, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $41,775, which is notably lower than the national median of $48,239. The salary range for these professionals in the area spans from $35,196 at the 10th percentile to $52,952 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various roles and certifications that influence pay. Notably, those with the CSPT (Certified Sterile Processing Technician) certification can command a premium, particularly in the hospital and specialty pharmacy settings, where sterile compounding skills are essential. These salary figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, giving a promising outlook for pharmacy technicians despite the current average wages in Lawrence being impacted by a lower cost of living index of 90.243.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,196 | $16.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,582 | $19.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,775 | $20.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,748 | $24.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,952 | $25.45 |
Median Salary Position
13.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, KS, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,756 (2026 est.). At $41,775, the local median is 13.4% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $41,775/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $43,836 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -13.40% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $41,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.40% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 4.70% below the Kansas state average of $43,836.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 9.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.243 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $41,775 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,292 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,920
2025 BLS Actual
$39,620
2026 Current Est.
$41,775
2019–2027 Growth
+38.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,775 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,048 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 24.1% from $31,920 (2019) to $39,620 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,048 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,128 (37.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $35,196 – $39,582 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,582 – $41,775 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,775 – $50,748 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,748 – $52,952 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Lawrence
With 180 pharmacy technicians currently employed in Lawrence, the job market remains relatively stable while offering various opportunities across different healthcare settings. The lower cost of living in the area implies a higher purchasing power for technicians compared to larger urban centers, despite the overall salary being below the national average. Among local employers, hospital pharmacies often provide the highest pay, particularly for roles requiring specialized skills like those governed by USP <797> and <800> compliance. Retail pharmacy chains, while still significant employers, tend to offer lower wages. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors such as the nature of the work, certification stipends for CSPT, and shift differentials. For those in Lawrence looking to maximize earnings, pursuing certifications, seeking roles in higher-paying settings like hospitals or specialty pharmacies, and staying informed about local job market shifts are effective strategies.
More salary data for Lawrence, 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 $39,620 for pharmacy techniciansin the Lawrence 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