Pharmacy Tech Pay

Milwaukee vs Oak Creek: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Milwaukee, WI and Oak Creek, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$49,873
$23.98/hr
Oak Creek, WI
$45,905
$22.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIOak Creek, WI
Median Salary$49,873$45,905
Hourly Rate$23.98$22.07
Entry Level (P10)$38,602$38,414
25th Percentile$40,552$39,183
75th Percentile$54,354$50,663
Top Earner (P90)$64,202$61,152
Total Employed3,1705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($49,873) and Oak Creek ($45,905) pharmacy technician salaries.MilwaukeeOak CreekMedian Salary$49,873$45,905Entry Level (P10)$38,602$38,414Top Earner (P90)$64,202$61,152US Median $48,239

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Oak Creek.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Oak Creek is $3,968 (8.64%). Milwaukee's median is +3.39% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $25,600,Oak Creek spans $22,738. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$38,602
P25$40,552
Median$49,873
P75$54,354
P90 (Top)$64,202
Oak Creek
P10 (Entry)$38,414
P25$39,183
Median$45,905
P75$50,663
P90 (Top)$61,152

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($51,449 effective) pays 4.68% more than Oak Creek ($49,149 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $49,873
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $51,449
Oak Creek
Nominal: $45,905
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $49,149

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,873/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,202)
  • Larger job market (3,170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,449)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Oak Creek if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Milwaukee grew 36.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.6% growth in Oak Creek over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+36.1%

$34,760 (2019) → $47,300 (2025)

Oak Creek, WI

+21.6%

$35,803 (2024) → $43,537 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Milwaukee or Oak Creek?

Milwaukee has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $49,873/year, compared to Oak Creek at $45,905/year — a difference of $3,968 (8.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Oak Creek?

Milwaukee pharmacy technicians earn $23.98/hr while Oak Creek hygienists earn $22.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Oak Creek as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Oak Creek. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $51,449, Oak Creek = $49,149), job availability (3,170 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Milwaukee vs Oak Creek?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $38,602 in Milwaukee and $38,414 in Oak Creek. The Milwaukee 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