Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Carbondale, IL: $20.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Carbondale, IL runs $20.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,047 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Carbondale's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,226 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With a projected hourly rate of $20.21 for pharmacy technicians in Carbondale, IL, the compensation is notably lower than the national median of $23.19. This difference is significant for those considering part-time roles or per-diem positions, which are common in retail pharmacy settings and at hospitals. Many pharmacy technicians work in environments such as retail counters, clean rooms for sterile compounding, or pharmacy automation areas, allowing for varied work schedules. Entry-level technicians in Carbondale may start earning around $17.72 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach up to $25.67 per hour, depending on their specific roles and employer types, which include retail chains, hospitals, and specialty pharmacies. Given these figures, prospective pharmacy technicians should consider the financial implications of their hours worked when evaluating their career options in this diverse local job market.
About the Carbondale 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) | $17.72 | $141.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.08 | $144.66 |
| Median (P50) | $20.21 | $161.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.75 | $174.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.67 | $205.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carbondale
Based on $20.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.21/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carbondale, IL can expect to earn approximately $42,043 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,255. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carbondale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carbondale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $808.51 | $3,504 | $42,043 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $485.11 | $2,102 | $25,226 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $323.41 | $1,401 | $16,817 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Carbondale) | $20.21 |
| 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 Carbondale, IL earn a median of $42,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.84% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 6.30% below the Illinois state average of $44,874.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.21/hr = $25,226/year (purchasing power: $25,979).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,043/year (purchasing power: $43,298).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Carbondale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Carbondale grew 25.0% from $15.33/hr (2019) to $19.17/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.31/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 Carbondale 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 Carbondale
In the context of part-time opportunities, a pharmacy technician working three days a week (24 hours) in Carbondale could expect to earn approximately $25,451 annually, compared to the earnings of full-time technicians. This pay structure makes part-time work appealing for those juggling other commitments or further education, especially in an industry where the demand remains high. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Carbondale generally ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with specific roles in sterile compounding bringing in rates between $25 and $40 per hour. Travel pharmacy technician contracts can offer even more competitive compensation, ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 weekly in high-need areas. Although larger pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens may offer stable positions with benefits, some technicians might opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance, while others may negotiate higher rates without benefits. Understanding the local market dynamics and being prepared to discuss wages based on industry standards will help pharmacy technicians optimize their earning potential in Carbondale.
More salary data for Carbondale, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Carbondale in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Carbondale?
Are pharmacy technicians in Carbondale paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Carbondale?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Carbondale?
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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 Carbondale. 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 Carbondale 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