Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $19.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Fort Smith, AR runs $19.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,879 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,528 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, aspiring pharmacy technicians can anticipate a median hourly pay of $19.65, which is notably lower than the national median of $23.19. This pay reflects the local job market dynamics, offering opportunities in various pharmacy settings such as retail chains, hospital pharmacies, and specialty compounding facilities. For part-time technicians working three days a week, the weekly income can easily support a modest lifestyle, while per-diem positions allow for additional flexibility and earnings potential. Entry-level technicians can expect to earn around $17.63, whereas seasoned professionals, particularly those specializing in sterile compounding, could see hourly rates rise to $24.15. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2026 projects a healthy demand for pharmacy technicians in the region, which bodes well for future wage growth and employment opportunities.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.63 | $141.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.41 | $147.28 |
| Median (P50) | $19.65 | $157.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.02 | $184.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.15 | $193.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $19.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.65/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $40,880 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,585. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $786.16 | $3,407 | $40,880 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $471.70 | $2,044 | $24,528 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $314.46 | $1,363 | $16,352 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Fort Smith) | $19.65 |
| 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 Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $40,879 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.26% lower than the national median of $48,239.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.65/hr = $24,528/year (purchasing power: $28,558).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,880/year (purchasing power: $47,597).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Fort Smith grew 40.0% from $13.31/hr (2019) to $18.64/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.72/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 Fort Smith 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 Fort Smith
Examining the earning potential for pharmacy technicians in Fort Smith reveals several pathways for maximizing income. A pharmacy technician working part-time, around 24 hours weekly, might take home approximately $25,000 annually, significantly lower than what full-time employees could secure. In contrast, per-diem pharmacy technician pay in Fort Smith typically ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with those engaged in hospital sterile compounding demanding even higher rates, potentially between $25 and $40 per hour. Employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and other local pharmacy chains generally offer stable wages, while opportunities in long-term care and specialty pharmacies can sometimes provide higher compensation. Many technicians face a choice between higher hourly pay without benefits or a lower rate that includes health coverage. Negotiating wages based on the specialized skills required for positions complying with USP <797> and <800> can help technicians secure better pay in an increasingly competitive job market in AR.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
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 Fort Smith. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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