Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Portage, IN: $21.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Portage, IN runs $21.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,744 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Portage's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,252 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Portage, Indiana, earn a median hourly rate of $21.04, which trails the national median of $23.19. This difference can affect those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, as the hourly rate significantly influences earnings over a workweek. For instance, working three days a week can yield around $672 per week, or approximately $35,000 annually, making it possible for technicians to manage their finances while pursuing other commitments or further education. Pharmacy technicians in Portage benefit from a range of hourly pay, starting around $17.24 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $27.54 for more experienced roles, reflecting the diverse settings in which they operate, such as retail pharmacy counters and hospital compounding areas.
About the Portage 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) | $17.24 | $137.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.63 | $141.04 |
| Median (P50) | $21.04 | $168.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.99 | $183.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.54 | $220.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portage
Based on $21.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.04/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portage, IN can expect to earn approximately $43,753 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,242. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Portage.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portage
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $841.41 | $3,646 | $43,753 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $504.85 | $2,188 | $26,252 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $336.56 | $1,458 | $17,501 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Portage) | $21.04 |
| 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 Portage, IN earn a median of $43,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.32% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $45,284.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.04/hr = $26,252/year (purchasing power: $28,754).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,753/year (purchasing power: $47,923).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Portage grew 34.8% from $14.80/hr (2019) to $19.95/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.18/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 Portage 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 Portage
For those considering part-time or per-diem opportunities, the earning landscape can be robust. Working just 24 hours a week, a pharmacy technician could typically generate annual take-home earnings of approximately $35,000, while a full-time position may exceed $43,000. The reality for per-diem pharmacy technicians in Portage often involves billing hourly rates between $20 and $32, with specialized roles in hospital sterile compounding commanding between $25 and $40 per hour. For travel pharmacy tech contracts, typically found in high-demand markets, pay can range from $1,200 to $1,800 per week. Insurers may play a role in some technicians opting for lower hourly wages that come with benefits versus higher hourly rates without them. Understanding the varying pay structures across different employers—like retail chains or specialty pharmacies—can be crucial for negotiating better rates, ensuring technicians capitalize on their experience and credentialing, like PTCB certification, whether in retail or hospital settings.
More salary data for Portage, 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 Portage. 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 Portage 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