Pharmacy Technician Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $49,673 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Grand Forks, ND earns a median $49,673/year (≈ $23.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Grand Forks's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $57,317 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.9% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Grand Forks, North Dakota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $49,673, slightly above the national median of $48,239. The full compensation range for these professionals spans from $39,888 at the lower end to $61,957 for those at the top of the scale. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the significant salary differentiation based on the work setting. Technicians engaged in hospital sterile compounding often earn at the higher end of the spectrum, primarily due to the specialized skills required and compliance with regulations such as USP <797> and <800>. This elevated pay reflects the increased demand in healthcare settings, particularly as competition for skilled technicians continues to grow in the wake of expanded roles during the recent health crises.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,888 | $19.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,891 | $20.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,673 | $23.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,365 | $26.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,957 | $29.79 |
Median Salary Position
2.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, ND, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,069 (2026 est.). At $49,673, the local median is 2.97% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Forks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Forks Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Grand Forks median: $49,673/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Forks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $44,390 | +11.90% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +2.97% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $49,673 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.97% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 11.90% above the North Dakota state average of $44,390.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Forks has a cost of living 13.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Forks, ND has a cost-of-living index of 86.663 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $49,673 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,317 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,770
2025 BLS Actual
$47,110
2026 Current Est.
$49,673
2019–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,673 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,375 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Forks metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 28.1% from $36,770 (2019) to $47,110 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,375 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,605 (42.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Forks 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) | $39,888 – $41,891 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,891 – $49,673 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,673 – $54,365 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,365 – $61,957 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Grand Forks
The job market for pharmacy technicians in Grand Forks features approximately 90 employed individuals, suggesting a steady demand for this occupation. With a cost of living index at 86.663, the purchasing power for local technicians appears more favorable compared to national averages. Employers like hospital inpatient pharmacies typically offer higher wages compared to retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens, reflecting the complexities involved in sterile compounding and specialty pharmacy services. Factors contributing to the salary variance include certifications like the CSPT, shift differentials, and the distinction between retail and hospital pay scales. Pharmacy technicians in Grand Forks can maximize their earnings by pursuing relevant certifications, seeking positions in hospital settings, and being open to flexible work hours that often come with increased compensation.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
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 $47,110 for pharmacy techniciansin the Grand Forks 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