Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Normal, IL: $20.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Normal, IL runs $20.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,524 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Normal's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,120 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Normal, Illinois, pharmacy technicians can expect a median hourly rate of $20.93, which is notably lower than the national median of $23.19. For part-time workers, such as those on three-day weekly schedules, this median hourly rate translates to around $600 per week, making it a viable income source in various pharmacy settings like retail and hospital environments. The hourly rate ranges from $16.08 for entry-level roles up to $27.61 for experienced technicians, demonstrating the potential for wage progression. These estimates for Normal are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the specific employment landscape in pharmacy counters, sterile compounding areas, and home delivery operations, all of which require varying expertise and compliance with regulations such as USP <797> and <800>.
About the Normal 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) | $16.08 | $128.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.86 | $134.88 |
| Median (P50) | $20.93 | $167.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.78 | $182.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.61 | $220.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Normal
Based on $20.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.93/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Normal, IL can expect to earn approximately $43,534 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,116. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Normal.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Normal
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $837.19 | $3,628 | $43,534 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $502.32 | $2,177 | $26,120 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $334.88 | $1,451 | $17,414 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Normal) | $20.93 |
| 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 Normal, IL earn a median of $43,524 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.77% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $44,870.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.93/hr = $26,120/year (purchasing power: $26,901).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,534/year (purchasing power: $44,834).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Normal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Normal grew 34.8% from $14.73/hr (2019) to $19.85/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.07/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 Normal 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 Normal
Compensation for pharmacy technicians in Normal can vary widely depending on the employment type and setting. For instance, part-time technicians working 24 hours a week can expect to earn about $32,800 annually, while full-time positions can significantly increase earnings. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Normal ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized sterile compounding roles potentially reaching $25 to $40 per hour, particularly in hospitals. Additionally, travel pharmacy tech contracts can offer competitive weekly wages ranging from $1,200 to $1,800. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens may offer more steady employment, but lower hourly rates may be countered by benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating hourly rates is critical, especially in a market like Normal where pharmacists have unique bargaining power due to the demand for certified technicians, particularly following employment shifts post-2020.
More salary data for Normal, IL:
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 Normal. 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 Normal 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