Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Gary, IN: $21.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Gary, IN runs $21.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,344 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Gary's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,213 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Gary, Indiana, earn a median hourly pay of $21.80, which falls below the national average hourly rate of $23.19. This competitive hourly rate provides an attractive option for those considering part-time work, where technicians typically work around three days a week and could expect to earn about $1,042 weekly, depending on hours worked. Opportunities for pharmacy technicians in Gary include varied environments such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital sterile compounding units, specialty pharmacy compounding facilities, and long-term care production floors. The hourly earnings for pharmacy technicians in this region range from $16.76 for entry-level positions to $30.11 for top earners, reflecting the diversity of settings and the technician's experience and skills. These estimates are derived from projected 2026 numbers based on 2025 BLS data, which will likely evolve as trends in the healthcare industry change.
About the Gary Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.76 | $134.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.58 | $140.61 |
| Median (P50) | $21.80 | $174.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.29 | $186.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.11 | $240.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gary
Based on $21.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.80/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gary, IN can expect to earn approximately $45,354 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,166. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $872.20 | $3,780 | $45,354 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $523.32 | $2,268 | $27,213 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $348.88 | $1,512 | $18,142 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Gary) | $21.80 |
| 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 Gary, IN earn a median of $45,344 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.00% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 0.10% above the Indiana state average of $45,299.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.80/hr = $27,213/year (purchasing power: $29,806).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,354/year (purchasing power: $49,676).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Gary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Gary grew 34.8% from $15.35/hr (2019) to $20.68/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.99/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 Gary 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 Gary
While full-time pharmacy technicians can earn a stable annual income, those working part-time (24 hours a week) might take home substantially less than their full-time counterparts. Assuming a part-time tech works three days a week and earns $21.80 per hour, their annual take-home is expected to be approximately $29,648. Conversely, per-diem pharmacy technician pay in Gary generally ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles in hospital sterile compounding commanding rates of $25 to $40 per hour. Notably, travel pharmacy technician contracts can yield significant earnings of $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. Hourly wages vary across employers, with retail chains offering competitive but often lower rates to maintain staff levels amid hiring fluctuations. Pharmacy technicians must weigh the benefits of higher hourly wages without healthcare benefits against lower hourly rates that offer employee benefits, including health insurance. Negotiation skills are crucial for hourly workers in Gary, especially in understanding industry standards and advocating for fair wages based on credentialing and specialized training that enhances their value in the workforce.
More salary data for Gary, IN:
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 Gary. 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 Gary 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