Pharmacy Tech Pay

Idaho Falls vs Pocatello: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Idaho Falls, ID and Pocatello, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Idaho Falls, ID
$48,102
$23.12/hr
Pocatello, ID
$47,332
$22.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIdaho Falls, IDPocatello, ID
Median Salary$48,102$47,332
Hourly Rate$23.12$22.75
Entry Level (P10)$31,463$38,834
25th Percentile$40,014$39,508
75th Percentile$50,284$50,232
Top Earner (P90)$59,964$54,006
Total Employed300160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Idaho Falls ($48,102) and Pocatello ($47,332) pharmacy technician salaries.Idaho FallsPocatelloMedian Salary$48,102$47,332Entry Level (P10)$31,463$38,834Top Earner (P90)$59,964$54,006US Median $48,239

Verdict

Idaho Falls, ID offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pocatello.

The salary gap between Idaho Falls and Pocatello is $770 (1.63%). Idaho Falls's median is -0.28% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Idaho Falls spans $28,501,Pocatello spans $15,172. Idaho Falls has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Idaho Falls
P10 (Entry)$31,463
P25$40,014
Median$48,102
P75$50,284
P90 (Top)$59,964
Pocatello
P10 (Entry)$38,834
P25$39,508
Median$47,332
P75$50,232
P90 (Top)$54,006

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pocatello ($53,238 effective) pays 4.49% more than Idaho Falls ($50,949 effective).

Idaho Falls
Nominal: $48,102
CoL Index: 94.412
Adjusted: $50,949
Pocatello
Nominal: $47,332
CoL Index: 88.906
Adjusted: $53,238

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Idaho Falls if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,102/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,964)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Pocatello if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,238)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Idaho Falls grew 27.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 34.8% growth in Pocatello over the same period.

Idaho Falls, ID

+27.5%

$35,770 (2019) → $45,620 (2025)

Pocatello, ID

+34.8%

$33,310 (2019) → $44,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Idaho Falls or Pocatello?

Idaho Falls has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,102/year, compared to Pocatello at $47,332/year — a difference of $770 (1.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Idaho Falls and Pocatello?

Idaho Falls pharmacy technicians earn $23.12/hr while Pocatello hygienists earn $22.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Idaho Falls to Pocatello as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Idaho Falls and Pocatello. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Idaho Falls = $50,949, Pocatello = $53,238), job availability (300 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Idaho Falls vs Pocatello?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $31,463 in Idaho Falls and $38,834 in Pocatello. The Pocatello area offers higher starting salaries.
ET

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