Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Urban Honolulu, HI: $23.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Urban Honolulu, HI runs $23.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,924 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Urban Honolulu's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.0, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,358 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $23.52, pharmacy technicians in Urban Honolulu, Hawaii, earn slightly more than their counterparts nationwide, where the median stands at $23.19. This competitive pay scale allows part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, to earn a feasible income while balancing other commitments. Typical settings like retail pharmacy counters and hospital pharmacy clean rooms offer opportunities for both entry-level technicians, who may start at $18.31 per hour, and seasoned professionals, who can earn up to $32.39 hourly. The data provided here is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reveals both the promising earnings potential and the variation across settings in the city.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.31 | $146.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.12 | $152.93 |
| Median (P50) | $23.52 | $188.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.91 | $239.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.39 | $259.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urban Honolulu
Based on $23.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.52/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urban Honolulu, HI can expect to earn approximately $48,929 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,228. With a cost-of-living index of 110.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Urban Honolulu.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urban Honolulu
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $940.95 | $4,077 | $48,929 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $564.57 | $2,446 | $29,358 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $376.38 | $1,631 | $19,572 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Urban Honolulu) | $23.52 |
| 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 Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $48,924 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.42% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 15.00% below the Hawaii state average of $57,558.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.52/hr = $29,358/year (purchasing power: $26,458).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,929/year (purchasing power: $44,096).
CoL index: 110.961 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Urban Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Urban Honolulu grew 10.7% from $20.15/hr (2019) to $22.31/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.80/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 Urban Honolulu 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 Urban Honolulu
When evaluating the earning potential for part-time pharmacy technicians in Urban Honolulu, it's essential to look beyond the hourly rate. A pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $29,393 annually, considerably less than a full-time peer. For per diem or agency workers, the situation can vary widely; they often bill between $20 and $32 per hour, with specialized roles in hospital sterile compounding potentially commanding rates between $25 to $40. Urban Honolulu's diverse employment landscape includes retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, inpatient hospitals, and specialty pharmacies, which can affect hourly pay. Some technicians may accept lower rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others may choose flexibility and higher pay without benefits. Practical negotiation skills can play a crucial role in maximizing one’s hourly earnings, especially in a city where the pharmacy technician hourly pay reflects both demand and the evolving needs of the healthcare system.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Urban Honolulu in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Urban Honolulu?
Are pharmacy technicians in Urban Honolulu paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Urban Honolulu?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Urban Honolulu?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Hawaii
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 Urban Honolulu. 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