Pharmacy Tech Pay

Duluth vs Mankato: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Duluth, MN and Mankato, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$50,095
$24.08/hr
Mankato, MN
$51,033
$24.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNMankato, MN
Median Salary$50,095$51,033
Hourly Rate$24.08$24.54
Entry Level (P10)$39,055$39,350
25th Percentile$43,874$40,373
75th Percentile$54,597$56,442
Top Earner (P90)$61,503$63,517
Total Employed400130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($50,095) and Mankato ($51,033) pharmacy technician salaries.DuluthMankatoMedian Salary$50,095$51,033Entry Level (P10)$39,055$39,350Top Earner (P90)$61,503$63,517US Median $48,239

Verdict

Mankato, MN offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and Mankato is $938 (1.87%). Mankato's median is +5.79% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $22,448,Mankato spans $24,167. Mankato has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$39,055
P25$43,874
Median$50,095
P75$54,597
P90 (Top)$61,503
Mankato
P10 (Entry)$39,350
P25$40,373
Median$51,033
P75$56,442
P90 (Top)$63,517

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($56,434 effective) pays 0.58% more than Mankato ($56,108 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $50,095
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $56,434
Mankato
Nominal: $51,033
CoL Index: 90.955
Adjusted: $56,108

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,434)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Mankato if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,033/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,517)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Duluth grew 32.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 36.9% growth in Mankato over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+32.9%

$35,760 (2019) → $47,510 (2025)

Mankato, MN

+36.9%

$35,360 (2019) → $48,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Duluth or Mankato?

Mankato has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $51,033/year, compared to Duluth at $50,095/year — a difference of $938 (1.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Mankato?

Duluth pharmacy technicians earn $24.08/hr while Mankato hygienists earn $24.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Mankato as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Mankato. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $56,434, Mankato = $56,108), job availability (400 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Duluth vs Mankato?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $39,055 in Duluth and $39,350 in Mankato. The Mankato 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