Pharmacy Technician Salary in Cottage Grove, MN: $50,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Cottage Grove, MN earns a median $50,368/year (≈ $24.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Cottage Grove's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $51,135 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $50,368, which outpaces the national median of $48,239 by 4.41%. Within this market, salaries can vary significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $40,447 and the top 90% making as much as $63,313. These figures reflect local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, illustrating the competitive nature of pharmacy technician compensation in this area. Overall, Cottage Grove's job market presents a favorable environment for pharmacy technicians, particularly in hospital settings where wages tend to be higher due to the complexities of sterile compounding and compliance requirements.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,447 | $19.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,606 | $20.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,368 | $24.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,282 | $25.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,313 | $30.44 |
Median Salary Position
4.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottage Grove
In Cottage Grove, MN, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,866 (2026 est.). At $50,368, the local median is 4.41% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cottage Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cottage Grove Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Cottage Grove median: $50,368/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottage Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $51,031 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +4.41% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $50,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.41% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $51,031.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottage Grove has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cottage Grove, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $50,368 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,135 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,448
2025 BLS Actual
$47,769
2026 Current Est.
$50,368
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,448 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,649 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,361 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,458 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,078 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,719 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,769 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,108 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottage Grove metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $35,448 (2019) to $47,769 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,108 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,660 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottage Grove 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) | $40,447 – $41,606 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,606 – $50,368 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,368 – $53,282 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,282 – $63,313 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Cottage Grove
The local job market in Cottage Grove currently employs only eight pharmacy technicians, which means competition for these positions can be intense. The cost-of-living index is relatively low at 98.5, making this salary more appealing in terms of purchasing power. Employers such as hospital inpatient pharmacies typically offer more substantial pay compared to retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. A discrepancy exists where those involved in hospital sterile compounding, with relevant CSPT certifications, generally command higher wages. Factors influencing this pay disparity include certification stipends for specialized work, shift differentials for overnight roles, and differences in pay scales between hospitals and retail outlets. To maximize earnings in Cottage Grove's market, pharmacy technicians should consider pursuing certifications like the CSPT and seeking employment in hospital or specialty pharmacy settings where higher salaries are attainable.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, MN:
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 $47,769 for pharmacy techniciansin the Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove 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