Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Zachary, LA: $20.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Zachary, LA runs $20.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,873 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Zachary's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,726 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Zachary, Louisiana, the pharmacy technician hourly pay is projected to reach $20.61 by 2026. This figure falls short of the national median hourly rate of $23.19, highlighting a pay disparity for pharmacy technicians in this area compared to the broader U.S. market. For those working part-time, such as three days a week in various settings—like bustling retail pharmacy counters, sterile IV compounding rooms in hospitals, or automated pharmacy environments—this hourly rate translates to approximately $1,024 in weekly earnings for full-time hours. The hourly range for pharmacy technicians in Zachary varies significantly, with entry-level technicians earning as little as $17.83 per hour and experienced professionals or those in specialized roles potentially earning up to $26.61. These estimates are based on projected annual data, offering a comprehensive insight into the earning potential within the profession locally.
About the Zachary Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.83 | $142.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.19 | $145.51 |
| Median (P50) | $20.61 | $164.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.25 | $169.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.61 | $212.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Zachary
Based on $20.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.61/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Zachary, LA can expect to earn approximately $42,876 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,736. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Zachary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Zachary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $824.54 | $3,573 | $42,876 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $494.72 | $2,144 | $25,726 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $329.82 | $1,429 | $17,150 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Zachary) | $20.61 |
| 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 Zachary, LA earn a median of $42,873 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.12% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 7.00% below the Louisiana state average of $46,100.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.61/hr = $25,726/year (purchasing power: $28,489).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,876/year (purchasing power: $47,482).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Zachary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Zachary grew 34.8% from $14.51/hr (2019) to $19.55/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.73/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 Zachary 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 Zachary
Exploring the financial trajectory for pharmacy technicians reveals both opportunities and challenges. A pharmacy technician working in a part-time capacity, say for 24 hours a week, would take home around $32,000 annually, significantly less than full-time salaries. Additionally, per diem pharmacy technician pay in Zachary varies widely, allowing workers to bill anywhere from $20 to $32 an hour, with those in hospital sterile compounding roles often earning between $25 and $40 per hour. Travel pharmacy tech contracts can offer even higher compensation, bringing in $1,200 to $1,800 weekly for positions in high-demand areas. Different employers—ranging from retail chains to specialty pharmacies—have distinct pay structures, and accepting a lower hourly wage at retail pharmacies might be the trade-off for those valuing benefits. In negotiations, it's beneficial for technicians in Zachary to highlight specific skills like PTCB and NHA ExCPT certifications, as these credentials can enhance bargaining power in seeking better pay rates.
More salary data for Zachary, LA:
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 Zachary. 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 Zachary 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