Pharmacy Technician Salary in Lincoln, NE: $48,650 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Lincoln, NE earns a median $48,650/year (≈ $23.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $53,122 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.2% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 estimated pharmacy technician salary in Lincoln, NE reaches a median annual figure of $48,650, slightly above the national median of $48,239, reflecting the overall robust healthcare job market in the area. With salaries ranging from $39,308 at the 10th percentile to $53,933 at the 90th percentile, local pharmacy technician pay demonstrates a significant gradient between hospital sterile compounding roles and retail positions. This salary distribution highlights the value of specialized training, such as compliance with USP <797> and <800>, which often leads to higher wages in hospital settings compared to retail environments like CVS and Walgreens, indicating a clear financial incentive for those seeking certification through organizations like PTCB.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,308 | $18.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,036 | $19.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,214 | $25.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,933 | $25.93 |
Median Salary Position
0.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,625 (2026 est.). At $48,650, the local median is 0.85% above the national median of $48,239.
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How Lincoln Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $48,650/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $44,147 | +10.20% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +0.85% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $48,650 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.85% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 10.20% above the Nebraska state average of $44,147.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $48,650 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,122 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,680
2025 BLS Actual
$46,140
2026 Current Est.
$48,650
2019–2027 Growth
+67.2%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,650 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,297 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 50.4% from $30,680 (2019) to $46,140 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,297 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,617 (67.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $39,308 – $40,036 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,036 – $48,650 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,650 – $52,214 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,214 – $53,933 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Lincoln
Local dynamics in Lincoln show that approximately 510 pharmacy technicians are currently employed, contributing to a competitive job landscape in the healthcare sector. With a cost-of-living index of 91.581, which is below the national average, the purchasing power of pharmacy technicians here is relatively strong—a crucial factor for maintaining a reasonable quality of life. Among the various employers, those in hospital settings and specialty pharmacies typically offer the highest wages, largely due to the increase in complexity and compliance standards that come with hospital sterile compounding. The disparity in pay within the profession can be further influenced by factors such as shift differentials, where night shifts in hospitals can command additional pay. To maximize earnings in Lincoln, pursuing advanced certifications like CSPT and seeking out positions in inpatient pharmacy settings may provide the best financial return.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
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 $46,140 for pharmacy techniciansin the Lincoln 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