Pharmacy Tech Pay

Middletown vs Wilmington: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Middletown, DE and Wilmington, DE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Middletown, DE
$45,328
$21.79/hr
Wilmington, DE
$48,130
$23.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiddletown, DEWilmington, DE
Median Salary$45,328$48,130
Hourly Rate$21.79$23.14
Entry Level (P10)$37,345$37,460
25th Percentile$38,092$39,133
75th Percentile$48,017$51,748
Top Earner (P90)$56,531$62,210
Total Employed610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Middletown ($45,328) and Wilmington ($48,130) pharmacy technician salaries.MiddletownWilmingtonMedian Salary$45,328$48,130Entry Level (P10)$37,345$37,460Top Earner (P90)$56,531$62,210US Median $48,239

Verdict

Wilmington, DE offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Middletown.

The salary gap between Middletown and Wilmington is $2,802 (6.18%). Wilmington's median is -0.23% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Middletown spans $19,186,Wilmington spans $24,750. Wilmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Middletown
P10 (Entry)$37,345
P25$38,092
Median$45,328
P75$48,017
P90 (Top)$56,531
Wilmington
P10 (Entry)$37,460
P25$39,133
Median$48,130
P75$51,748
P90 (Top)$62,210

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wilmington ($47,325 effective) pays 6.18% more than Middletown ($44,570 effective).

Middletown
Nominal: $45,328
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $44,570
Wilmington
Nominal: $48,130
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $47,325

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Middletown if…

  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Choose Wilmington if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,130/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,210)
  • Larger job market (10 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,325)
  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Middletown grew 14.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.4% growth in Wilmington over the same period.

Middletown, DE

+14.4%

$37,586 (2024) → $42,989 (2025)

Wilmington, DE

+11.4%

$40,961 (2024) → $45,647 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Middletown or Wilmington?

Wilmington has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,130/year, compared to Middletown at $45,328/year — a difference of $2,802 (6.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Middletown and Wilmington?

Middletown pharmacy technicians earn $21.79/hr while Wilmington hygienists earn $23.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Middletown to Wilmington as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Middletown and Wilmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Middletown = $44,570, Wilmington = $47,325), job availability (6 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Middletown vs Wilmington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $37,345 in Middletown and $37,460 in Wilmington. The Wilmington 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