Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Richmond, KY: $19.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Richmond, KY runs $19.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,359 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,212 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richmond, Kentucky, pharmacy technicians earn a median hourly pay of $19.40, which trails behind the national median of $23.19. This discrepancy impacts both full-time and part-time workers, especially those operating in typical settings such as retail pharmacy counters and hospital sterile compounding areas. For those working part-time, say three days a week, the income can still be quite substantive, allowing for a decent living. Entry-level pharmacy technicians can expect to start at around $15.43 an hour, while experienced technicians at the top of the wage spectrum may command as much as $24.30 per hour. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflecting the broader market conditions influencing the pharmacy technician hourly rate in KY.
About the Richmond 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) | $15.43 | $123.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.97 | $127.79 |
| Median (P50) | $19.40 | $155.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.89 | $167.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.30 | $194.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $19.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.40/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, KY can expect to earn approximately $40,354 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,281. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $776.04 | $3,363 | $40,354 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $465.62 | $2,018 | $24,212 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $310.42 | $1,345 | $16,142 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Richmond) | $19.40 |
| 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 Richmond, KY earn a median of $40,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.34% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $40,974.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.40/hr = $24,212/year (purchasing power: $27,114).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,354/year (purchasing power: $45,189).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Richmond grew 34.8% from $13.65/hr (2019) to $18.40/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.46/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
When looking at the overall earning potential for pharmacy technicians in Richmond, it is crucial to evaluate various employment scenarios. A part-time pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week could bring home about $24,099 annually, which certainly varies from those employed full-time, who would significantly exceed that figure. Additionally, the rise of flexible employment options has led to per diem pharmacy technician pay in Richmond ranging from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles in sterile compounding sometimes reaching $25 to $40 hourly. This disparity often reflects employer type; for instance, retail chains might offer lower hourly rates compared to hospitals or specialty pharmacies. Some technicians may opt for lower-paying jobs with benefits, while others prioritize higher pay without the safety net of health insurance. For those negotiating their hourly pay, understanding the market rate and highlighting specific skills, such as certification under PTCB for compliance with USP <797> and <800>, can make a substantial difference in securing a more favorable compensation package.
More salary data for Richmond, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Richmond in 2026?
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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 Richmond. 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 Richmond 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