Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Elizabethtown, KY: $18.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Elizabethtown, KY runs $18.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,171 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Elizabethtown's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.6, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,502 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, the current pharmacy technician hourly pay stands at $18.83, notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $23.19. This discrepancy offers a unique perspective for those considering part-time or per diem work in various pharmacy settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital sterile compounding areas, and specialty pharmacy operations. For pharmacy technicians seeking flexible work arrangements, such as three days a week, the reliable hourly wage can provide a stable income while accommodating personal schedules. On the lower end, entry-level technicians can expect to earn approximately $15.29 per hour, while those at the top end of the spectrum can command $28.10, reflecting the wide range of responsibilities and expertise required in different roles.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.29 | $122.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.00 | $143.99 |
| Median (P50) | $18.83 | $150.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.98 | $183.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.10 | $224.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elizabethtown
Based on $18.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.83/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elizabethtown, KY can expect to earn approximately $39,170 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,598. With a cost-of-living index of 90.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elizabethtown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elizabethtown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $753.26 | $3,264 | $39,170 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $451.96 | $1,958 | $23,502 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $301.31 | $1,306 | $15,668 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Elizabethtown) | $18.83 |
| 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 Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $39,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.80% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 4.40% below the Kentucky state average of $40,974.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.83/hr = $23,502/year (purchasing power: $25,948).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,170/year (purchasing power: $43,247).
CoL index: 90.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Elizabethtown grew 18.7% from $15.05/hr (2019) to $17.86/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.86/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 Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown
In the realm of pharmacy technician compensation, part-time workers who clock in around 24 hours each week can anticipate a gross salary that differs significantly from their full-time counterparts. Per diem pharmacy technicians in Elizabethtown might find rates between $20 and $32 per hour, whereas specialized roles like hospital sterile compounding may offer $25 to $40 hourly, highlighting the lucrative opportunities available for those with additional credentials. Travel placements can even yield weekly earnings reaching $1,200 to $1,800, particularly in markets experiencing shortages. Moreover, compensation varies across employer types; retail chains often provide stability but may come with lower wages compared to hospitals or specialty pharmacies. The decision between a higher hourly pay rate without benefits versus a slightly lower rate with health insurance plays a critical role for many technicians. For effective negotiations, it’s beneficial to research local pay scales and articulate one’s worth based on specific skills, especially in a city like Elizabethtown, where the pharmacy technician job market has been fluctuating in response to broader industry trends.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Elizabethtown in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Elizabethtown?
Are pharmacy technicians in Elizabethtown paid hourly or salary?
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Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Elizabethtown?
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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 Elizabethtown. 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