Pharmacy Tech Pay

Fargo vs Williston: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Fargo, ND and Williston, ND. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fargo, ND
$47,859
$23.01/hr
Williston, ND
$42,348
$20.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFargo, NDWilliston, ND
Median Salary$47,859$42,348
Hourly Rate$23.01$20.36
Entry Level (P10)$40,046$35,141
25th Percentile$42,598$35,843
75th Percentile$53,289$45,676
Top Earner (P90)$63,348$54,461
Total Employed4307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fargo ($47,859) and Williston ($42,348) pharmacy technician salaries.FargoWillistonMedian Salary$47,859$42,348Entry Level (P10)$40,046$35,141Top Earner (P90)$63,348$54,461US Median $48,239

Verdict

Fargo, ND offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Williston.

The salary gap between Fargo and Williston is $5,511 (13.01%). Fargo's median is -0.79% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fargo spans $23,302,Williston spans $19,320. Fargo has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fargo
P10 (Entry)$40,046
P25$42,598
Median$47,859
P75$53,289
P90 (Top)$63,348
Williston
P10 (Entry)$35,141
P25$35,843
Median$42,348
P75$45,676
P90 (Top)$54,461

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fargo ($52,667 effective) pays 14.42% more than Williston ($46,030 effective).

Fargo
Nominal: $47,859
CoL Index: 90.871
Adjusted: $52,667
Williston
Nominal: $42,348
CoL Index: 92
Adjusted: $46,030

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fargo if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,859/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,348)
  • Larger job market (430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,667)
  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Williston if…

  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Fargo grew 19.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.4% growth in Williston over the same period.

Fargo, ND

+19.5%

$37,990 (2019) → $45,390 (2025)

Williston, ND

+14.4%

$35,115 (2024) → $40,163 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Fargo or Williston?

Fargo has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $47,859/year, compared to Williston at $42,348/year — a difference of $5,511 (13.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fargo and Williston?

Fargo pharmacy technicians earn $23.01/hr while Williston hygienists earn $20.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fargo to Williston as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fargo and Williston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fargo = $52,667, Williston = $46,030), job availability (430 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Fargo vs Williston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $40,046 in Fargo and $35,141 in Williston. The Fargo area offers higher starting salaries.
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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