Pharmacy Tech Pay

Peoria vs Urbana: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Peoria, IL
$48,618
$23.38/hr
Urbana, IL
$39,890
$19.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPeoria, ILUrbana, IL
Median Salary$48,618$39,890
Hourly Rate$23.38$19.18
Entry Level (P10)$37,537$33,933
25th Percentile$38,401$34,612
75th Percentile$51,760$43,560
Top Earner (P90)$59,932$52,377
Total Employed5906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Peoria ($48,618) and Urbana ($39,890) pharmacy technician salaries.PeoriaUrbanaMedian Salary$48,618$39,890Entry Level (P10)$37,537$33,933Top Earner (P90)$59,932$52,377US Median $48,239

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Urbana.

The salary gap between Peoria and Urbana is $8,728 (21.88%). Peoria's median is +0.79% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Peoria spans $22,395,Urbana spans $18,444. Peoria has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Peoria
P10 (Entry)$37,537
P25$38,401
Median$48,618
P75$51,760
P90 (Top)$59,932
Urbana
P10 (Entry)$33,933
P25$34,612
Median$39,890
P75$43,560
P90 (Top)$52,377

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($53,291 effective) pays 29.72% more than Urbana ($41,081 effective).

Peoria
Nominal: $48,618
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $53,291
Urbana
Nominal: $39,890
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $41,081

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,618/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,932)
  • Larger job market (590 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,291)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Urbana if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Peoria grew 35.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -4.0% growth in Urbana over the same period.

Peoria, IL

+35.6%

$34,000 (2019) → $46,110 (2025)

Urbana, IL

+-4.0%

$39,415 (2024) → $37,832 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Peoria or Urbana?

Peoria has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,618/year, compared to Urbana at $39,890/year — a difference of $8,728 (21.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Peoria and Urbana?

Peoria pharmacy technicians earn $23.38/hr while Urbana hygienists earn $19.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Peoria to Urbana as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Peoria and Urbana. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Peoria = $53,291, Urbana = $41,081), job availability (590 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Peoria vs Urbana?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $37,537 in Peoria and $33,933 in Urbana. The Peoria 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