Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Tempe, AZ: $23.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Tempe, AZ runs $23.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,766 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Tempe's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,858 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tempe, Arizona, pharmacy technicians earn a median hourly wage of $23.92, which surpasses the national hourly median of $23.19. This competitive rate offers a solid foundation for those working part-time, such as a typical schedule of three days a week, which can significantly impact their overall income while allowing for better work-life balance. Those in the profession typically find employment across various settings like retail pharmacy counters, hospital sterile compounding rooms, mail-order operations, and long-term care facilities. The hourly pay ranges from $19.27 for entry-level positions to $31.38 for top earners, reflecting the diverse responsibilities and required expertise in each environment. These figures are extrapolated from the projected annual salaries, illustrating the financial prospects available to pharmacy technicians in the thriving health care sector of Tempe.
About the Tempe Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.27 | $154.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.03 | $160.27 |
| Median (P50) | $23.92 | $191.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.81 | $206.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.38 | $251.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tempe
Based on $23.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.92/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tempe, AZ can expect to earn approximately $49,763 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,709. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tempe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tempe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $956.97 | $4,147 | $49,763 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $574.18 | $2,488 | $29,858 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $382.79 | $1,659 | $19,905 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Tempe) | $23.92 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Tempe, AZ earn a median of $49,766 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.17% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $49,567.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.92/hr = $29,858/year (purchasing power: $30,312).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,763/year (purchasing power: $50,520).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Tempe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Tempe grew 34.8% from $16.84/hr (2019) to $22.69/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.23/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tempe 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.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Tempe
Examining the earning potential for part-time pharmacy technicians reveals a substantial difference in income compared to full-time roles. For example, a tech working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $29,877 annually. In contrast, per diem pharmacy technicians commonly bill between $20 and $32 per hour, with those in hospital sterile compounding roles ranging from $25 to $40 per hour due to the niche skills needed for compliance with USP <797> and <800> standards. Travel pharmacy tech contracts can also offer lucrative opportunities, providing $1,200 to $1,800 per week in shortage markets. Hourly rates can vary significantly across employer types in Tempe, with retail chains like CVS and Walgreens usually offering lower rates compared to specialty and compounding pharmacies. While some technicians may accept a lower hourly wage for health insurance benefits, others might prioritize higher pay over benefits, especially in a market with chronic staffing shortages post-2020. It’s advisable for pharmacy technicians to negotiate based on their unique qualifications and the demands of the role, ensuring they receive fair compensation in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Tempe, AZ:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Tempe. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tempe 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