Pharmacy Tech Pay

Minneapolis vs Moorhead: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Minneapolis, MN and Moorhead, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Minneapolis, MN
$51,159
$24.60/hr
Moorhead, MN
$49,080
$23.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMinneapolis, MNMoorhead, MN
Median Salary$51,159$49,080
Hourly Rate$24.60$23.60
Entry Level (P10)$40,320$41,356
25th Percentile$46,183$42,183
75th Percentile$57,739$51,544
Top Earner (P90)$65,151$65,594
Total Employed4,67011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Minneapolis ($51,159) and Moorhead ($49,080) pharmacy technician salaries.MinneapolisMoorheadMedian Salary$51,159$49,080Entry Level (P10)$40,320$41,356Top Earner (P90)$65,151$65,594US Median $48,239

Verdict

Minneapolis, MN offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Moorhead.

The salary gap between Minneapolis and Moorhead is $2,079 (4.24%). Minneapolis's median is +6.05% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Minneapolis spans $24,831,Moorhead spans $24,238. Minneapolis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Minneapolis
P10 (Entry)$40,320
P25$46,183
Median$51,159
P75$57,739
P90 (Top)$65,151
Moorhead
P10 (Entry)$41,356
P25$42,183
Median$49,080
P75$51,544
P90 (Top)$65,594

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Moorhead ($49,827 effective) pays 2.09% more than Minneapolis ($48,806 effective).

Minneapolis
Nominal: $51,159
CoL Index: 104.822
Adjusted: $48,806
Moorhead
Nominal: $49,080
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $49,827

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Minneapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,159/year)
  • Larger job market (4,670 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Moorhead if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($65,594)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,827)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Minneapolis grew 26.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.8% growth in Moorhead over the same period.

Minneapolis, MN

+26.0%

$38,510 (2019) → $48,520 (2025)

Moorhead, MN

+6.8%

$43,576 (2024) → $46,548 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Minneapolis or Moorhead?

Minneapolis has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $51,159/year, compared to Moorhead at $49,080/year — a difference of $2,079 (4.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Minneapolis and Moorhead?

Minneapolis pharmacy technicians earn $24.60/hr while Moorhead hygienists earn $23.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Minneapolis to Moorhead as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Minneapolis and Moorhead. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Minneapolis = $48,806, Moorhead = $49,827), job availability (4,670 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Minneapolis vs Moorhead?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $40,320 in Minneapolis and $41,356 in Moorhead. The Moorhead 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