Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Bay City, MI: $19.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Bay City, MI runs $19.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,846 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Bay City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,910 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bay City, Michigan, the projected median hourly pay for pharmacy technicians is $19.16, which falls short of the national median of $23.19 per hour. This wage reflects the dynamics of the local job market and may influence the decisions of those considering part-time or per-diem positions. For instance, a part-time pharmacy technician working three days a week (about 24 hours) could expect to make approximately $460 weekly, a reasonable supplement for many. The pay range for pharmacy technicians in this area varies significantly from $14.59 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $24.88 for experienced techs, outlining a clear progression in earning potential. Given the local cost of living index of 91.921, these earnings play a crucial role in shaping the financial stability for those in the profession working in environments such as retail pharmacies, hospital IV clean rooms, and specialty compounding facilities. The data presented here is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.59 | $116.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.93 | $151.41 |
| Median (P50) | $19.16 | $153.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.44 | $179.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.88 | $199.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bay City
Based on $19.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.16/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bay City, MI can expect to earn approximately $39,850 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,990. With a cost-of-living index of 91.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bay City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bay City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $766.34 | $3,321 | $39,850 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $459.80 | $1,992 | $23,910 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $306.54 | $1,328 | $15,940 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Bay City) | $19.16 |
| 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 Bay City, MI earn a median of $39,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.40% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 15.80% below the Michigan state average of $47,323.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.16/hr = $23,910/year (purchasing power: $26,011).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,850/year (purchasing power: $43,352).
CoL index: 91.921 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Bay City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Bay City grew 17.1% from $15.52/hr (2019) to $18.17/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.20/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 Bay City 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 Bay City
Considering the realities of employment in Bay City, part-time pharmacy technicians working 24 hours a week could bring home around $23,920 annually—quite a contrast to full-time earnings. Per-diem pharmacy technicians, often filling in for permanent staff, typically earn between $20 and $32 per hour, with hospital positions in sterile compounding potentially rewarding workers with rates as high as $40. Additionally, travel contracts for pharmacy techs can be lucrative, offering between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly in market shortage areas. It's important to recognize that hourly rates across various employers can differ markedly. Retail chains might offer lower wages compared to hospital pharmacies or specialty and compounding pharmacies, where employees can negotiate for better pay based on their compliance experience, particularly with laws like USP <797> and <800>. Some technicians may choose roles with lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, making it vital for applicants to weigh their options carefully and consider their personal priorities. When negotiating hourly pay, being familiar with current rates and understanding local demand can significantly enhance one's bargaining power in Bay City.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
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 Bay City. 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