Pharmacy Tech Pay

Cleveland vs Delaware: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Cleveland, OH and Delaware, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$41,448
$19.93/hr
Delaware, OH
$42,638
$20.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHDelaware, OH
Median Salary$41,448$42,638
Hourly Rate$19.93$20.50
Entry Level (P10)$32,961$34,279
25th Percentile$38,802$36,899
75th Percentile$51,697$45,198
Top Earner (P90)$62,241$53,537
Total Employed3,9707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($41,448) and Delaware ($42,638) pharmacy technician salaries.ClevelandDelawareMedian Salary$41,448$42,638Entry Level (P10)$32,961$34,279Top Earner (P90)$62,241$53,537US Median $48,239

Verdict

Cleveland and Delaware are closely matched on overall pharmacy technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Delaware is $1,190 (2.87%). Delaware's median is -11.61% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $29,280,Delaware spans $19,258. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$32,961
P25$38,802
Median$41,448
P75$51,697
P90 (Top)$62,241
Delaware
P10 (Entry)$34,279
P25$36,899
Median$42,638
P75$45,198
P90 (Top)$53,537

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Delaware ($47,010 effective) pays 6.53% more than Cleveland ($44,130 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $41,448
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $44,130
Delaware
Nominal: $42,638
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $47,010

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($62,241)
  • Larger job market (3,970 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Delaware if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,638/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,010)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Cleveland grew 19.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.8% growth in Delaware over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+19.6%

$32,860 (2019) → $39,310 (2025)

Delaware, OH

+18.8%

$34,035 (2024) → $40,438 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Cleveland or Delaware?

Delaware has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $42,638/year, compared to Cleveland at $41,448/year — a difference of $1,190 (2.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Delaware?

Cleveland pharmacy technicians earn $19.93/hr while Delaware hygienists earn $20.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Delaware as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Delaware. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $44,130, Delaware = $47,010), job availability (3,970 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Cleveland vs Delaware?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $32,961 in Cleveland and $34,279 in Delaware. The Delaware 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