Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Salary in De Pere, WI: $37,358 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacy technicians entering the De Pere, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,358 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out De Pere's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $39,998 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($47,032) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In De Pere, Wisconsin, the entry-level pharmacy technician pay reflects the starting expectations for new graduates entering the field. For 2026, a new pharmacy technician can anticipate a salary around $37,358, which is considerably lower than the city median of $47,032, illustrating a notable gap that many fresh graduates will need to bridge. However, as they gain experience, there is potential for salary increases, moving from the P10 to P25 range of $38,547 and potentially approaching the median as they accumulate one to three years of experience. Given the projected growth rate of 5.44% annually in this occupation, new pharmacy technicians in De Pere will find that the local job market offers reasonably good opportunities, making it a promising place to start their careers in pharmacy.
About the De Pere Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in De Pere
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in De Pere
Entry-level pharmacy technicians in De Pere, WI typically start between $37,358 and $38,547 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $21,279 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $47,032 — 2.5% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Wisconsin of $5,500 represents just 14.72% of the starting pharmacy technician pay ($37,358/year) in De Pere. 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 De Pere
- 1Research the De Pere market: entry-level pharmacy technician pay ranges from $37,358 to $38,547, 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 De Pere, 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 De Pere for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5De Pere'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 De Pere is $21,279 ( 56.96%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,358, experienced hygienists can earn up to $58,637.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,726
2025 BLS Actual
$35,431
2026 Current Est.
$37,358
2019–2027 Growth
+66.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in De Pere (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,726 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,985 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,155 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,185 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,905 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,431 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,358 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,391 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacy technician compensation (10th percentile) in De Pere, WI grew 49.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,726 in 2019 to $35,431 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,391. New graduates entering the De Pere job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the De Pere metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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 De Pere
Opportunities for new pharmacy technicians in De Pere often stem from major retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, which typically provide entry-level positions that include paid training through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Hospital systems may prefer hiring experienced technicians, but they also offer benefits such as cross-training in sterile compounding, which is aligned with USP <797> and <800> compliance—areas that command higher wages. To enhance their starting pay in Wisconsin, new techs should consider obtaining national certifications like PTCB's CPhT or NHA's ExCPT, as well as securing state pharmacy technician registration or licensing. As the retail sector has witnessed a wage increase of 15-30% since 2020 due to a chronic labor shortage, those entering this industry can expect salary growth in their first three years—particularly if they pursue additional credentials that elevate their marketability, especially in sterile compounding roles which often provide the highest pay available in the field.
More salary data for De Pere, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 De Pere. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for De Pere is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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