Pharmacy Tech Pay

Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Salary in Caledonia, WI: $35,860 (2026)

Quick Answer:New pharmacy technicians entering the Caledonia, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $35,860 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Caledonia's local price level (BEA RPP 93.47% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $38,394 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($46,418) within a few years of clinical practice.

$35,860
Starting Salary
$17.24/hr
Starting Hourly
$35,860
Entry Level
$46,418
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Pharmacy Technician Entry Level Salary in Caledonia, WI — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Caledonia, WI pharmacy technician entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

New graduates entering the pharmacy technician workforce in Caledonia, WI can expect to begin their careers with a starting salary around $35,860. This figure is on the lower end of the salary spectrum and is significantly below the city's median annual salary of $46,418, indicating that early-career technicians might face some financial challenges initially. However, there is potential for growth in the first few years, as technicians can often advance into higher pay brackets with experience. From the entry-level point, technicians might realistically elevate their earnings to around $40,125 within a few years, and, with dedication and skill development, they could reach the median salary. Overall, Caledonia presents a fair market for aspiring pharmacy technicians, especially considering the projected annual growth rate of 5.44% for this occupation, signaling a healthy demand for professionals in this field.

About the Caledonia Market

Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Caledonia

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$35,860/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$40,125/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$46,418/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$50,833/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Caledonia

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for pharmacy technicians in Caledonia. The median salary is $46,418, compared to the national median of $48,239.$32.3K$40.3K$48.3K$56.3K$64.2K$35.9K10th Pctl$40.1K25th Pctl$46.4KMedian$50.8K75th Pctl$61.2K90th PctlUS Median$48.2K

Entry-level pharmacy technicians in Caledonia, WI typically start between $35,860 and $40,125 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,326 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $46,4183.77% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of pharmacy technician pay in the Caledonia metro area.

Return on Investment

$5,500
Avg WI Program Cost
$35,860
Starting Salary
15.34%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average pharmacy program cost in Wisconsin of $5,500 represents just 15.34% of the starting pharmacy technician pay ($35,860/year) in Caledonia. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates based on ASHP/ACPE-accredited pharmacy technician program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution (community college vs. private vocational school) and program length.

CPhT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Caledonia

  • 1Research the Caledonia market: entry-level pharmacy technician pay ranges from $35,860 to $40,125, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the pharmacy field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Caledonia, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Caledonia for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Caledonia's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.

Pharmacy Technician Compensation Range

The pharmacy technician wage spread in Caledonia is $25,326 ( 70.62%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $35,860, experienced hygienists can earn up to $61,186.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$22,774

2025 BLS Actual

$34,010

2026 Current Est.

$35,860

2019–2027 Growth

+66.0%

Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Caledonia (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for pharmacy technicians in Caledonia. Baseline $22,774 in 2025, projected to $37,811 by 2027.$19.8K$25.0K$30.3K$35.6K$40.8K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$22.8K$24.0K$27.1K$28.0K$30.9K$28.7K$34.0K$35.9K$37.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$22,774Actual
2020$23,983Actual
2021$27,136Actual
2022$27,986Actual
2023$30,894Actual
2024$28,727Actual
2025$34,010Actual
2026(current)$35,860Estimated
2027$37,811Projected

Entry-level pharmacy technician compensation (10th percentile) in Caledonia, WI grew 49.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $22,774 in 2019 to $34,010 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $37,811. New graduates entering the Caledonia job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Caledonia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Starting Your pharmacy Career in Caledonia

Employers in Caledonia predominantly include retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, which are often the first destinations for new graduates entering this field. These companies typically provide paid training through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and are the most likely to hire entry-level technicians. Meanwhile, hospital systems, though generally preferring candidates with experience, also offer opportunities to gain essential skills, particularly in sterile compounding, which can significantly enhance earning potential. To boost starting pay, new technicians should consider obtaining their national certification through PTCB or NHA ExCPT, along with securing state pharmacy technician registration. As wages in retail pharmacy have notably risen by 15-30% post-2020 due to a chronic shortage and expanded roles during the pandemic, new grads can take advantage of these shifts for a favorable career trajectory. Realistic expectations for salary growth in the initial years typically involve moving towards the upper end of the salary range, particularly for those who embrace continuous education and credentialing opportunities such as the CSPT for sterile compounding, positioning themselves for higher earning potential in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for pharmacy technicians in Caledonia in 2026?

Entry-level pharmacy technicians in Caledonia start at approximately $35,860/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.44% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $17.24/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do pharmacy technician salaries grow in Caledonia?

Most pharmacy technicians in Caledonia progress from the entry-level salary of $35,860 to the area median of $46,418 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $61,186 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is pharmacy school worth it in Caledonia?

With a starting salary of $35,860/year in Caledonia and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new pharmacy technicians recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new pharmacy technicians make right out of school in Caledonia?

New pharmacy graduates in Caledonia typically start near the 10th percentile at $35,860/year, or approximately $17.24/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a pharmacy technician in Wisconsin?

To become a licensed pharmacy technician in Wisconsin, you typically need high school diploma plus completion of an ashp-accredited pharmacy technician training program (typically 6-12 months at community college or vocational school) or on-the-job training. ptcb (pharmacy technician certification board) certification — the cpht credential — is required by most states and strongly preferred by employers. state registration or licensure required in most states., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Wisconsin, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some pharmacy technicians pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Wisconsin

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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

Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new pharmacy graduates. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Caledonia. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Caledonia is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov

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