Pharmacy Tech Pay

Newark vs Wilmington: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Newark, DE
$48,743
$23.44/hr
Wilmington, DE
$48,130
$23.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNewark, DEWilmington, DE
Median Salary$48,743$48,130
Hourly Rate$23.44$23.14
Entry Level (P10)$39,689$37,460
25th Percentile$40,667$39,133
75th Percentile$51,956$51,748
Top Earner (P90)$61,913$62,210
Total Employed510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Newark ($48,743) and Wilmington ($48,130) pharmacy technician salaries.NewarkWilmingtonMedian Salary$48,743$48,130Entry Level (P10)$39,689$37,460Top Earner (P90)$61,913$62,210US Median $48,239

Verdict

Newark and Wilmington are closely matched on overall pharmacy technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Newark and Wilmington is $613 (1.27%). Newark's median is +1.04% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Newark spans $22,224,Wilmington spans $24,750. Wilmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Newark
P10 (Entry)$39,689
P25$40,667
Median$48,743
P75$51,956
P90 (Top)$61,913
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, Newark ($47,928 effective) pays 1.27% more than Wilmington ($47,325 effective).

Newark
Nominal: $48,743
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $47,928
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 Newark if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,743/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,928)
  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Choose Wilmington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($62,210)
  • Larger job market (10 employed)
  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Newark, DE

+14.4%

$40,418 (2024) → $46,228 (2025)

Wilmington, DE

+11.4%

$40,961 (2024) → $45,647 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Newark or Wilmington?

Newark has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,743/year, compared to Wilmington at $48,130/year — a difference of $613 (1.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Newark and Wilmington?

Newark pharmacy technicians earn $23.44/hr while Wilmington hygienists earn $23.14/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Newark and Wilmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Newark = $47,928, Wilmington = $47,325), job availability (5 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $39,689 in Newark and $37,460 in Wilmington. The Newark area offers higher starting salaries.
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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