Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Fairfield, CT: $23.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Fairfield, CT runs $23.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,782 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Fairfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,265 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Fairfield, Connecticut, can expect a median hourly pay of $23.45, which is slightly above the national average of $23.19. This hourly rate reflects a competitive position for both part-time workers and those seeking per diem employment within various pharmacy settings, such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital sterile compounding environments, and specialty pharmacy compounding areas. Entry-level technicians might earn around $19.21 per hour, while those at the top of their field can command up to $32.39. This range highlights the potential for growth and variation depending on experience, skills, and the specific employer, with many positions available in both retail chains like Walgreens and CVS and specialized roles in hospital pharmacies and compounding facilities.
About the Fairfield Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.21 | $153.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.80 | $158.41 |
| Median (P50) | $23.45 | $187.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.04 | $200.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.39 | $259.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairfield
Based on $23.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.45/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairfield, CT can expect to earn approximately $48,776 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,140. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fairfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $937.99 | $4,065 | $48,776 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $562.80 | $2,439 | $29,265 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $375.20 | $1,626 | $19,510 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Fairfield) | $23.45 |
| 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 Fairfield, CT earn a median of $48,782 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.13% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.70% below the Connecticut state average of $49,625.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.45/hr = $29,265/year (purchasing power: $27,123).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,776/year (purchasing power: $45,205).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Fairfield grew 34.8% from $16.50/hr (2019) to $22.24/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.73/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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield
The potential for annual earnings varies significantly based on work schedules and employment arrangements. A part-time pharmacy technician working three days a week for a total of 24 hours may take home approximately $29,484 annually, which underscores the appeal of full-time roles, especially given the rising demand for pharmacy professionals. For those considering per diem roles, pay can range from $20 to $32 per hour, with hospital sterile compounding positions often reaching $25 to $40 per hour. Additionally, travel contracts for pharmacy technicians can yield lucrative weekly pay rates between $1,200 and $1,800, particularly in markets where there is a shortage of skilled workers. It’s also noteworthy that while retail pharmacy positions have seen rising pay due to increased responsibilities since the height of the pandemic, some technicians may choose lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating pay rates in Fairfield can be advantageous, especially when highlighting experience with certification programs like PTCB or compliance with USP <797> and <800> standards.
More salary data for Fairfield, CT:
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 Fairfield. 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 Fairfield 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