Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Covington, KY: $19.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Covington, KY runs $19.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,446 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Covington's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,265 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Covington, KY, pharmacy technicians can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $19.44, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $23.19. This discrepancy highlights the potential financial challenges for pharmacy technicians working in retail settings, hospital pharmacies, and specialized compounding environments. For those pursuing part-time opportunities or per-diem positions—common in pharmacies where technicians work 24 hours a week—this hourly rate translates to varying levels of income depending on their schedule. Entry-level technicians might find themselves starting around $15.61, while those with experience and added responsibilities can earn up to $24.39. This range reflects the competitive nature of pharmacy technician hourly pay in Covington, influenced by local demand and the rising complexities of the role, particularly in compliance with regulations such as USP <797> and <800>.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($37,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.61 | $124.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.06 | $128.47 |
| Median (P50) | $19.44 | $155.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.59 | $164.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.39 | $195.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Covington
Based on $19.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.44/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Covington, KY can expect to earn approximately $40,442 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,332. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Covington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Covington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $777.73 | $3,370 | $40,442 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $466.64 | $2,022 | $24,265 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $311.09 | $1,348 | $16,177 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Covington) | $19.44 |
| 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 Covington, KY earn a median of $40,446 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.15% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.30% below the Kentucky state average of $40,978.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.44/hr = $24,265/year (purchasing power: $27,172).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,442/year (purchasing power: $45,287).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Covington grew 34.8% from $13.68/hr (2019) to $18.44/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.50/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 Covington 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 Covington
With part-time pharmacy technicians clocking in around 24 hours a week, their annual income might be considerably lower compared to full-time peers. While a full-time pharmacy technician could earn consistently, part-time roles may provide only about $25,000 annually, factoring in weekly schedules. For those interested in flexible positions, per diem pharmacy technician pay in Covington ranges between $20 and $32 per hour, with roles in hospital sterile compounding offering even higher rates, up to $40 per hour. When exploring opportunities, it's essential to consider the varied pay scales based on employer types; retail pharmacies, hospitals, and specialty pharmacies present different compensation levels. Additionally, while some pharmacy technicians may accept lower hourly rates for the benefits that come with full-time positions, others prioritize higher pay without benefits for greater take-home earnings. Practical negotiation skills are vital in this environment, as local wage trends shift in response to staffing needs and regulatory demands within the healthcare field.
More salary data for Covington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Covington in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Covington?
Are pharmacy technicians in Covington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Covington?
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Career Resources
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 Covington. 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 Covington 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