Bear vs Dover: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)
Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Bear, DE and Dover, DE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Bear, DE | Dover, DE |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $47,014 | $47,353▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $22.61 | $22.76▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,118▲ | $38,412 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,901 | $41,343▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $49,138 | $54,987▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $57,333 | $59,795▲ |
| Total Employed | 6 | 200▲ |
Verdict
Dover, DE offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bear.
The salary gap between Bear and Dover is $339 (0.72%). Dover's median is -1.84% compared to the US national median of $48,239.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bear spans $18,215,Dover spans $21,383. Dover has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Dover ($48,564 effective) pays 5.05% more than Bear ($46,228 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Bear if…
- ✓You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle
Choose Dover if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($47,353/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($59,795)
- ✓Larger job market (200 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,564)
- ✓You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Bear grew 14.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 48.9% growth in Dover over the same period.
Bear, DE
$38,984 (2024) → $44,588 (2025)
Dover, DE
$30,170 (2019) → $44,910 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Bear or Dover?
What is the hourly rate difference between Bear and Dover?
Should I relocate from Bear to Dover as a pharmacy technician?
What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Bear vs Dover?
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
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