Pharmacy Tech Pay

Ann Arbor vs St. Clair Shores: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Ann Arbor, MI and St. Clair Shores, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ann Arbor, MI
$50,000
$24.04/hr
St. Clair Shores, MI
$47,041
$22.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnn Arbor, MISt. Clair Shores, MI
Median Salary$50,000$47,041
Hourly Rate$24.04$22.62
Entry Level (P10)$39,920$37,834
25th Percentile$49,641$39,309
75th Percentile$52,688$52,596
Top Earner (P90)$63,517$64,407
Total Employed1,03013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ann Arbor ($50,000) and St. Clair Shores ($47,041) pharmacy technician salaries.Ann ArborSt. Clair ShoresMedian Salary$50,000$47,041Entry Level (P10)$39,920$37,834Top Earner (P90)$63,517$64,407US Median $48,239

Verdict

Ann Arbor, MI offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Clair Shores.

The salary gap between Ann Arbor and St. Clair Shores is $2,959 (6.29%). Ann Arbor's median is +3.65% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ann Arbor spans $23,597,St. Clair Shores spans $26,573. St. Clair Shores has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Ann Arbor
P10 (Entry)$39,920
P25$49,641
Median$50,000
P75$52,688
P90 (Top)$63,517
St. Clair Shores
P10 (Entry)$37,834
P25$39,309
Median$47,041
P75$52,596
P90 (Top)$64,407

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Clair Shores ($50,473 effective) pays 1.83% more than Ann Arbor ($49,564 effective).

Ann Arbor
Nominal: $50,000
CoL Index: 100.88
Adjusted: $49,564
St. Clair Shores
Nominal: $47,041
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $50,473

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ann Arbor if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,000/year)
  • Larger job market (1,030 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose St. Clair Shores if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($64,407)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,473)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Ann Arbor grew 22.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.4% growth in St. Clair Shores over the same period.

Ann Arbor, MI

+22.4%

$38,750 (2019) → $47,420 (2025)

St. Clair Shores, MI

+20.4%

$37,059 (2024) → $44,614 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Ann Arbor or St. Clair Shores?

Ann Arbor has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $50,000/year, compared to St. Clair Shores at $47,041/year — a difference of $2,959 (6.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ann Arbor and St. Clair Shores?

Ann Arbor pharmacy technicians earn $24.04/hr while St. Clair Shores hygienists earn $22.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ann Arbor to St. Clair Shores as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ann Arbor and St. Clair Shores. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ann Arbor = $49,564, St. Clair Shores = $50,473), job availability (1,030 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Ann Arbor vs St. Clair Shores?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $39,920 in Ann Arbor and $37,834 in St. Clair Shores. The Ann Arbor area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov