Pharmacy Tech Pay

Milwaukee vs Racine: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Milwaukee, WI
$49,873
$23.98/hr
Racine, WI
$41,796
$20.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIRacine, WI
Median Salary$49,873$41,796
Hourly Rate$23.98$20.10
Entry Level (P10)$38,602$37,284
25th Percentile$40,552$38,243
75th Percentile$54,354$52,066
Top Earner (P90)$64,202$57,834
Total Employed3,170240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($49,873) and Racine ($41,796) pharmacy technician salaries.MilwaukeeRacineMedian Salary$49,873$41,796Entry Level (P10)$38,602$37,284Top Earner (P90)$64,202$57,834US Median $48,239

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Racine is $8,077 (19.32%). 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,Racine spans $20,550. 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
Racine
P10 (Entry)$37,284
P25$38,243
Median$41,796
P75$52,066
P90 (Top)$57,834

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($51,449 effective) pays 18.12% more than Racine ($43,555 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $49,873
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $51,449
Racine
Nominal: $41,796
CoL Index: 95.961
Adjusted: $43,555

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 Racine 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 11.8% growth in Racine over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+36.1%

$34,760 (2019) → $47,300 (2025)

Racine, WI

+11.8%

$35,470 (2019) → $39,640 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Milwaukee or Racine?

Milwaukee has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $49,873/year, compared to Racine at $41,796/year — a difference of $8,077 (19.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Racine?

Milwaukee pharmacy technicians earn $23.98/hr while Racine hygienists earn $20.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Racine as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Racine. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $51,449, Racine = $43,555), job availability (3,170 vs 240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $38,602 in Milwaukee and $37,284 in Racine. The Milwaukee area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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