Pharmacy Technician Salary in Elmira, NY: $41,786 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Elmira, NY earns a median $41,786/year (≈ $20.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Elmira's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $44,266 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technician salaries in Elmira, New York, are projected to reach a median annual compensation of $41,786. This figure is significantly below the national median of $48,239, showcasing the local market's unique challenges. Salary ranges for pharmacy technicians in Elmira are expected to span from $35,681 at the lower decile to $50,548 at the upper decile, indicating variability in pay based on experience and workplace. The data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects an evolving job market where role expectations, including overnight shifts and specialized skills, can substantially influence earnings. Given the ongoing demand for pharmacy technicians, this market presents both opportunities and challenges for prospective and current professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,681 | $17.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,095 | $18.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,786 | $20.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,648 | $22.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,548 | $24.30 |
Median Salary Position
13.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmira
In Elmira, NY, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,867 (2026 est.). At $41,786, the local median is 13.38% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elmira: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elmira Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Elmira median: $41,786/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmira Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $43,663 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -13.38% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Elmira, NY earn a median of $41,786 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.38% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 4.30% below the New York state average of $43,663.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmira has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elmira, NY has a cost-of-living index of 94.398 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $41,786 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,266 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,350
2025 BLS Actual
$39,630
2026 Current Est.
$41,786
2019–2027 Growth
+55.4%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Elmira (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,786 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,059 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmira metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 39.8% from $28,350 (2019) to $39,630 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,059 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,709 (55.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmira 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) | $35,681 – $38,095 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,095 – $41,786 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,786 – $47,648 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,648 – $50,548 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Elmira
The local job market for pharmacy technicians in Elmira is modest, with 90 individuals currently employed in this role. The cost of living index stands at 94.398, indicating a slightly lower-than-average living expense, which can enhance take-home purchasing power despite lower salaries compared to national figures. Major employers like retail pharmacy chains, including CVS and Walgreens, contribute to the local pay landscape, often with greater salaries compared to hospital settings. Factors influencing pay disparities include the demand for specialized sterile compounding skills, which adhere to USP <797> and <800> standards, as well as shift differentials for night shifts, especially in retail environments. To maximize earnings potential in Elmira, obtaining certifications such as the CSPT and seeking positions at higher-paying specialty or hospital pharmacies can be effective strategies given the competitive nature of this field.
More salary data for Elmira, NY:
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 $39,630 for pharmacy techniciansin the Elmira 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