Pharmacy Technician Salary in Onalaska, WI: $49,024 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Onalaska, WI earns a median $49,024/year (≈ $23.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $52,488 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Onalaska, Wisconsin, the projected median annual salary for pharmacy technicians in 2026 is $49,024, reflecting a growth in compensation when compared to the national median of $48,239. Local professionals can expect to earn between $40,070 and $59,343, making it a competitive market for this occupation. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, indicate that Onalaska's pharmacy technician salary is slightly above the average national level by approximately 1.63%. The shift differentials and premiums associated with overnight shifts in retail settings further augment the appeal of positions in this area, especially for those looking to maximize their earning potential.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,070 | $19.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,816 | $20.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,024 | $23.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,343 | $28.53 |
Median Salary Position
1.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,273 (2026 est.). At $49,024, the local median is 1.63% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Onalaska Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $49,024/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,922 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +1.63% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $49,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.63% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $47,922.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $49,024 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,488 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$34,503
2025 BLS Actual
$46,495
2026 Current Est.
$49,024
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,503 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,672 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,338 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,405 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,956 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,589 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,495 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,024 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,691 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $34,503 (2019) to $46,495 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,691 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,188 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $40,070 – $42,816 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,816 – $49,024 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,024 – $50,820 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,820 – $59,343 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Onalaska
The job market in Onalaska features only four pharmacy technicians, signifying a tighter workforce that may drive demand in the coming years. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, professionals here enjoy a more favorable economic environment, allowing for greater purchasing power in comparison to many other regions. Employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and local hospital pharmacies generally offer the highest wages, particularly for roles that involve specialty or sterile compounding, which align with USP <797> and <800> compliance requirements. The income spread is influenced by various factors, including certifications like the CSPT credential and the need for evening or overnight shifts. For pharmacy technicians in Onalaska aiming to enhance their salaries, pursuing additional credentials, targeting specialized roles, and seeking positions within hospitals rather than retail chains can significantly impact overall pay.
More salary data for Onalaska, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Onalaska, WI in 2026?
Is Onalaska, WI a good place to work as a pharmacy technician?
Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Onalaska?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacy technician salary in Onalaska?
How much does a pharmacy technician make per hour in Onalaska?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $46,495 for pharmacy techniciansin the Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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