Pharmacy Technician Salary in Elk River, MN: $49,999 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Elk River, MN earns a median $49,999/year (≈ $24.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Elk River's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $50,760 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elk River, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary for pharmacy technicians in 2026 reaches $49,999, slightly surpassing the national average of $48,239 by approximately 3.65%. The earning potential varies significantly, with salaries ranging from $42,156 at the 10th percentile to $66,977 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the value of specialized credentials like the CSPT in boosting earning potential. With the local job market employing only four pharmacy technicians, professionals are positioned to competitively pursue roles that emphasize compliance with USP <797> and <800>, particularly in hospital settings where compensation tends to be the highest.
About the Elk River Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,156 | $20.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,999 | $20.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,999 | $24.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,452 | $25.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,977 | $32.20 |
Median Salary Position
3.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elk River
In Elk River, MN, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,821 (2026 est.). At $49,999, the local median is 3.65% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elk River: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elk River Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Elk River median: $49,999/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elk River Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $51,019 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +3.65% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Elk River, MN earn a median of $49,999 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.65% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $51,019.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elk River 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.
Elk River, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $49,999 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,760 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,189
2025 BLS Actual
$47,419
2026 Current Est.
$49,999
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Elk River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,189 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,169 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,392 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,419 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,999 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,719 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elk River metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $35,189 (2019) to $47,419 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,719 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,530 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elk River 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) | $42,156 – $42,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,999 – $49,999 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,999 – $52,452 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,452 – $66,977 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Elk River
For those exploring pharmacy technician pay in Elk River, MN, it’s essential to consider the local job market's dynamics and the cost of living, indexed at 98.5, which suggests a relatively affordable environment for wage earners. Among various employment settings, hospitals typically offer higher salaries compared to retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. Factors influencing pay discrepancies include the type of setting, shifts worked, and certifications held. Those with the CSPT credential can often command a stipend on top of their base salary, while working night shifts or in sterile compounding roles can lead to additional pay. To maximize earnings, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking positions in hospital pharmacies or specialty areas could prove advantageous, given the more robust compensation structures in those environments.
More salary data for Elk River, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Elk River?
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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 $47,419 for pharmacy techniciansin the Elk River 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 Elk River 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