Pharmacy Tech Pay

Oswego vs Springfield: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Oswego, IL and Springfield, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Oswego, IL
$43,233
$20.78/hr
Springfield, IL
$44,454
$21.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOswego, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$43,233$44,454
Hourly Rate$20.78$21.37
Entry Level (P10)$36,343$37,031
25th Percentile$37,070$37,726
75th Percentile$47,030$51,012
Top Earner (P90)$56,471$51,824
Total Employed7570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oswego ($43,233) and Springfield ($44,454) pharmacy technician salaries.OswegoSpringfieldMedian Salary$43,233$44,454Entry Level (P10)$36,343$37,031Top Earner (P90)$56,471$51,824US Median $48,239

Verdict

Springfield, IL offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Oswego.

The salary gap between Oswego and Springfield is $1,221 (2.82%). Springfield's median is -7.85% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oswego spans $20,128,Springfield spans $14,793. Oswego has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Oswego
P10 (Entry)$36,343
P25$37,070
Median$43,233
P75$47,030
P90 (Top)$56,471
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$37,031
P25$37,726
Median$44,454
P75$51,012
P90 (Top)$51,824

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($47,931 effective) pays 7.65% more than Oswego ($44,524 effective).

Oswego
Nominal: $43,233
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $44,524
Springfield
Nominal: $44,454
CoL Index: 92.745
Adjusted: $47,931

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oswego if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($56,471)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,454/year)
  • Larger job market (570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,931)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Oswego grew 4.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.9% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Oswego, IL

+4.4%

$39,275 (2024) → $41,002 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+36.9%

$30,790 (2019) → $42,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Oswego or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $44,454/year, compared to Oswego at $43,233/year — a difference of $1,221 (2.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oswego and Springfield?

Oswego pharmacy technicians earn $20.78/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $21.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oswego to Springfield as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oswego and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oswego = $44,524, Springfield = $47,931), job availability (7 vs 570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Oswego vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $36,343 in Oswego and $37,031 in Springfield. The Springfield 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