Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Aurora, IL: $21.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Aurora, IL runs $21.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,330 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Aurora's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,594 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aurora, Illinois, pharmacy technicians earn a median hourly rate of $21.31, which falls short of the national median of $23.19. This means that those working in various roles—ranging from retail pharmacy counters to hospital sterile compounding environments—can expect to make an hourly wage that reflects the local job market. The hourly pay ranges from $16.62 for entry-level positions up to $28.62 for those with significant experience or specialty skills, such as those required in sterile compounding (USP <797>/<800>). These figures are derived from annual salary estimations, indicating that both full-time employees and part-time workers can expect pay that aligns more closely with local living costs, as Aurora has a cost of living index below the national average.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.62 | $132.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.97 | $135.72 |
| Median (P50) | $21.31 | $170.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.39 | $187.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.62 | $228.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aurora
Based on $21.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.31/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aurora, IL can expect to earn approximately $44,324 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,571. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aurora.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aurora
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $852.38 | $3,694 | $44,324 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $511.43 | $2,216 | $26,594 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $340.95 | $1,477 | $17,729 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Aurora) | $21.31 |
| 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 Aurora, IL earn a median of $44,330 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.10% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.20% below the Illinois state average of $44,869.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.31/hr = $26,594/year (purchasing power: $27,388).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,324/year (purchasing power: $45,647).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Aurora grew 34.8% from $15.00/hr (2019) to $20.21/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.47/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 Aurora 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 Aurora
Part-time pharmacy technicians in Aurora who work three days a week for 24 hours annually bring home significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Even with a calculated income, the total annual earnings for a part-time tech working just 3 days a week would be around $26,000, while those opting for per-diem scenarios might see more lucrative options. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Aurora typically ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles in hospital compounding offering $25 to $40. Furthermore, travel pharmacy tech positions can command contracts offering $1,200 to $1,800 a week, particularly in markets facing staffing shortages. Different employers—like major retail chains, hospital pharmacies, and specialty pharmacies—have varying pay scales. Pharmacy technicians may choose lower hourly rates for the trade-off of benefits, such as health insurance. Negotiating pay can be pivotal in this market; articulating the value of credentials, such as the CSPT certification, can strengthen a technician's position.
More salary data for Aurora, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Aurora in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Aurora?
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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 Aurora. 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 Aurora 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