Pharmacy Technician Salary in Madison, WI: $49,219 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Madison, WI earns a median $49,219/year (≈ $23.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $50,592 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, pharmacy technicians can anticipate a median annual salary of $49,219 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position within the healthcare job market, particularly when contrasted against the national median of $48,239. The salary range for these roles spans from $38,538 at the lower end to $64,445 at the 90th percentile, showcasing varied compensation based on specific job functions. According to projections derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, the pay gradient between hospital sterile compounding positions—often requiring stringent compliance with USP <797> and <800>—and retail pharmacy roles is particularly pronounced, signaling that those with specialized training or credentials such as CSPT can command higher wages. This compensation landscape is shaped by Madison's diverse healthcare offerings, suggesting opportunities for pharmacy technicians to position themselves advantageously within the job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,538 | $18.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,006 | $19.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,219 | $23.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,087 | $25.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,445 | $30.98 |
Median Salary Position
2.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,907 (2026 est.). At $49,219, the local median is 2.03% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Madison median: $49,219/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,879 | +2.80% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +2.03% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Madison, WI earn a median of $49,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.03% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $47,879.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $49,219 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,592 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,130
2025 BLS Actual
$46,680
2026 Current Est.
$49,219
2019–2027 Growth
+43.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,219 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,897 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 29.2% from $36,130 (2019) to $46,680 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,897 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,767 (43.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $38,538 – $41,006 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,006 – $49,219 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,219 – $52,087 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,087 – $64,445 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Madison
The local job market for pharmacy technicians is robust, with approximately 1,530 professionals employed throughout the Madison area. Despite this healthy employment number, the cost of living index stands at 97.287, indicating that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which can positively affect take-home purchasing power. Among employers, hospital pharmacies typically offer the highest salaries compared to retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. The salary disparity arises from various factors, such as the complexities involved in sterile compounding versus routine retail pharmacy tasks, the impact of certifications like the CSPT, and potential for shift differentials in hospital settings. For those seeking to enhance their earnings, pursuing specialized certifications and exploring roles in inpatient or specialty pharmacies could lead to notable increases in pharmacy technician pay in Madison, WI.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
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 $46,680 for pharmacy techniciansin the Madison 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