Louisville/Jefferson County vs Murray: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)
Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and Murray, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY | Murray, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $45,213▲ | $38,338 |
| Hourly Rate | $21.74▲ | $18.43 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,273▲ | $33,565 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,898▲ | $34,236 |
| 75th Percentile | $50,643▲ | $41,152 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $60,312▲ | $48,685 |
| Total Employed | 2,750▲ | 4 |
Verdict
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Murray.
The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Murray is $6,875 (17.93%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is -6.27% compared to the US national median of $48,239.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville/Jefferson County spans $23,039,Murray spans $15,120. Louisville/Jefferson County has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($48,577 effective) pays 13.15% more than Murray ($42,932 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($45,213/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($60,312)
- ✓Larger job market (2,750 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,577)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Choose Murray if…
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 36.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.7% growth in Murray over the same period.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$31,480 (2019) → $42,880 (2025)
Murray, KY
$30,903 (2024) → $36,360 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
Murray, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Louisville/Jefferson County or Murray?
What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville/Jefferson County and Murray?
Should I relocate from Louisville/Jefferson County to Murray as a pharmacy technician?
What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Louisville/Jefferson County vs Murray?
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.
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