Pharmacy Tech Pay

Cleveland vs Middletown: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$41,448
$19.93/hr
Middletown, OH
$42,795
$20.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHMiddletown, OH
Median Salary$41,448$42,795
Hourly Rate$19.93$20.57
Entry Level (P10)$32,961$34,671
25th Percentile$38,802$35,575
75th Percentile$51,697$46,413
Top Earner (P90)$62,241$55,667
Total Employed3,9709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($41,448) and Middletown ($42,795) pharmacy technician salaries.ClevelandMiddletownMedian Salary$41,448$42,795Entry Level (P10)$32,961$34,671Top Earner (P90)$62,241$55,667US Median $48,239

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Middletown is $1,347 (3.25%). Middletown's median is -11.29% 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,Middletown spans $20,996. 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
Middletown
P10 (Entry)$34,671
P25$35,575
Median$42,795
P75$46,413
P90 (Top)$55,667

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Middletown ($47,183 effective) pays 6.92% more than Cleveland ($44,130 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $41,448
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $44,130
Middletown
Nominal: $42,795
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $47,183

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 Middletown if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,795/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,183)
  • 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 Middletown over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+19.6%

$32,860 (2019) → $39,310 (2025)

Middletown, OH

+18.8%

$34,161 (2024) → $40,587 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Cleveland or Middletown?

Middletown has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $42,795/year, compared to Cleveland at $41,448/year — a difference of $1,347 (3.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Middletown?

Cleveland pharmacy technicians earn $19.93/hr while Middletown hygienists earn $20.57/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Middletown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $44,130, Middletown = $47,183), job availability (3,970 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $32,961 in Cleveland and $34,671 in Middletown. The Middletown 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