Pharmacy Tech Pay

Caledonia vs Milwaukee: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Caledonia, WI and Milwaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Caledonia, WI
$46,418
$22.31/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$49,873
$23.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCaledonia, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$46,418$49,873
Hourly Rate$22.31$23.98
Entry Level (P10)$35,860$38,602
25th Percentile$40,125$40,552
75th Percentile$50,833$54,354
Top Earner (P90)$61,186$64,202
Total Employed43,170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Caledonia ($46,418) and Milwaukee ($49,873) pharmacy technician salaries.CaledoniaMilwaukeeMedian Salary$46,418$49,873Entry Level (P10)$35,860$38,602Top Earner (P90)$61,186$64,202US Median $48,239

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Caledonia.

The salary gap between Caledonia and Milwaukee is $3,455 (7.44%). Milwaukee's median is +3.39% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Caledonia spans $25,326,Milwaukee spans $25,600. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Caledonia
P10 (Entry)$35,860
P25$40,125
Median$46,418
P75$50,833
P90 (Top)$61,186
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$38,602
P25$40,552
Median$49,873
P75$54,354
P90 (Top)$64,202

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($51,449 effective) pays 3.52% more than Caledonia ($49,698 effective).

Caledonia
Nominal: $46,418
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $49,698
Milwaukee
Nominal: $49,873
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $51,449

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Caledonia if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,873/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,202)
  • Larger job market (3,170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,449)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Caledonia grew 21.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.1% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Caledonia, WI

+21.6%

$36,203 (2024) → $44,023 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+36.1%

$34,760 (2019) → $47,300 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Caledonia or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $49,873/year, compared to Caledonia at $46,418/year — a difference of $3,455 (7.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Caledonia and Milwaukee?

Caledonia pharmacy technicians earn $22.31/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $23.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Caledonia to Milwaukee as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Caledonia and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Caledonia = $49,698, Milwaukee = $51,449), job availability (4 vs 3,170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Caledonia vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $35,860 in Caledonia and $38,602 in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee 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