Pharmacy Tech Pay

Cleveland vs Toledo: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$41,448
$19.93/hr
Toledo, OH
$47,311
$22.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHToledo, OH
Median Salary$41,448$47,311
Hourly Rate$19.93$22.74
Entry Level (P10)$32,961$38,148
25th Percentile$38,802$39,213
75th Percentile$51,697$50,949
Top Earner (P90)$62,241$62,241
Total Employed3,970790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($41,448) and Toledo ($47,311) pharmacy technician salaries.ClevelandToledoMedian Salary$41,448$47,311Entry Level (P10)$32,961$38,148Top Earner (P90)$62,241$62,241US Median $48,239

Verdict

Toledo, OH offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 2 out of 4 metrics compared to Cleveland.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Toledo is $5,863 (14.15%). Toledo's median is -1.92% 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,Toledo spans $24,093. 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
Toledo
P10 (Entry)$38,148
P25$39,213
Median$47,311
P75$50,949
P90 (Top)$62,241

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Toledo ($51,731 effective) pays 17.23% more than Cleveland ($44,130 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $41,448
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $44,130
Toledo
Nominal: $47,311
CoL Index: 91.455
Adjusted: $51,731

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Larger job market (3,970 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Toledo if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,311/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,731)
  • 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 51.5% growth in Toledo over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+19.6%

$32,860 (2019) → $39,310 (2025)

Toledo, OH

+51.5%

$29,610 (2019) → $44,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Cleveland or Toledo?

Toledo has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $47,311/year, compared to Cleveland at $41,448/year — a difference of $5,863 (14.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Toledo?

Cleveland pharmacy technicians earn $19.93/hr while Toledo hygienists earn $22.74/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Toledo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $44,130, Toledo = $51,731), job availability (3,970 vs 790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $32,961 in Cleveland and $38,148 in Toledo. The Toledo 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