Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Burlington, IA: $21.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Burlington, IA runs $21.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,420 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,647 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, Iowa, the projected hourly pay for pharmacy technicians in 2026 stands at $21.35, which is slightly below the national median of $23.19. This disparity may influence part-time workers who typically engage in three-day workweeks, as they can expect their earnings to translate into a competitive, yet lower take-home compared to their peers in other regions. The hourly compensation spans a range from $17.75 for entry-level positions to $26.91 for experienced technicians, indicating potential for career growth within various practice settings such as retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies focusing on sterile compounding, and specialty pharmacy environments.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.75 | $141.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.10 | $144.83 |
| Median (P50) | $21.35 | $170.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.80 | $182.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.91 | $215.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $21.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.35/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, IA can expect to earn approximately $44,411 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,622. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $854.06 | $3,701 | $44,411 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $512.44 | $2,221 | $26,647 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $341.63 | $1,480 | $17,765 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Burlington) | $21.35 |
| 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 Burlington, IA earn a median of $44,420 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.92% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $46,271.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.35/hr = $26,647/year (purchasing power: $29,477).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,411/year (purchasing power: $49,128).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Burlington grew 34.8% from $15.03/hr (2019) to $20.25/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.51/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Examining the earning potential for part-time pharmacy technicians in Burlington reveals that those working 24 hours a week would take home around $27,124 annually, notably less than full-time counterparts. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Burlington varies widely, with rates between $20 and $32 per hour, and positions in hospital sterile compounding even reaching $25 to $40 per hour. It's also worth considering that travel contracts for pharmacy technicians can yield weekly sums ranging from $1,200 to $1,800, ideal for those willing to work in shortage markets. Hourly rates fluctuate based on employer type; for instance, retail pharmacy chains often offer lower wages compared to hospital positions that may provide additional benefits like health insurance. As many pharmacy technicians might weigh the trade-offs between higher pay without benefits and job security with health coverage, it's wise to negotiate paying attention to local demand and industry trends, particularly those highlighted by the post-2020 wage adjustments in retail and growing emphasis on certification credentials like PTCB.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
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 Burlington. 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 Burlington 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