Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Lafayette, IN: $21.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Lafayette, IN runs $21.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,160 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,094 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Indiana, the pharmacy technician hourly pay is projected to be $21.71 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $23.19 per hour. This hourly rate provides a solid foundation for both part-time employees working three days a week and per-diem pharmacy technicians, who typically operate in retail settings, hospital pharmacy clean rooms, and various compounding environments. With an hourly range spanning from $18.15 for entry-level positions to $24.41 for top earners, pharmacy technicians in this city have several opportunities to define their work hours. These roles primarily exist in retail pharmacy chains, hospital pharmacies, and specialty compounding pharmacies, providing a diverse landscape for pharmacy techs to thrive based on their experience and areas of expertise.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.15 | $145.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.44 | $155.55 |
| Median (P50) | $21.71 | $173.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.38 | $195.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.41 | $195.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $21.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.71/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $45,157 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,052. With a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $868.40 | $3,763 | $45,157 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $521.04 | $2,258 | $27,094 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $347.36 | $1,505 | $18,063 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Lafayette) | $21.71 |
| 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 Lafayette, IN earn a median of $45,160 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.38% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 0.30% below the Indiana state average of $45,296.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.71/hr = $27,094/year (purchasing power: $28,999).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,157/year (purchasing power: $48,332).
CoL index: 93.43 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Lafayette grew 35.8% from $15.16/hr (2019) to $20.59/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.89/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
Considering the part-time earning potential, a pharmacy technician working 24 hours weekly would bring home approximately $27,045 annually, which significantly contrasts with full-time earnings. Per-diem positions often present varied pay rates, ranging from $20 to $32 per hour depending on the complexity of the role, with specialized positions in sterile compounding attracting wages between $25 and $40. While some professionals opt for agency jobs or travel contracts, which may offer $1,200 to $1,800 weekly, they often weigh the benefits of steady hours against the allure of higher hourly rates. Pharmacy technician wages in Lafayette vary by employer; retail chains tend to offer lower pay compared to inpatient hospital pharmacies and sterile compounding roles. Many technicians may choose to accept lower hourly wages that come with benefits, balancing immediate compensation with long-term financial security. For effective salary negotiations in Lafayette, focusing on accruing valuable skills and certifications, such as PTCB or CSPT, can fortify one's position in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Lafayette, 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 Lafayette. 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