Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Detroit, MI: $21.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Detroit, MI runs $21.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,687 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Detroit's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.3, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,410 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Detroit, the pharmacy technician hourly pay is projected to be $21.96 in 2026, which places it slightly below the national hourly median of $23.19. For those working part-time or in per-diem roles, this translates to an average of approximately $659.04 per week for a typical schedule of three days (24 hours). These technicians typically operate in a variety of settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV clean rooms compliant with USP <797> and <800>, and long-term care pharmacy production floors. Entry-level positions might offer around $17.83, while experienced technicians can earn up to $27.15 per hour, highlighting a substantial upward mobility potential in this profession based on merit and experience. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.83 | $142.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.98 | $151.83 |
| Median (P50) | $21.96 | $175.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.01 | $200.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.15 | $217.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Detroit
Based on $21.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.96/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Detroit, MI can expect to earn approximately $45,683 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,356. With a cost-of-living index of 100.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Detroit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Detroit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $878.53 | $3,807 | $45,683 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $527.12 | $2,284 | $27,410 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $351.41 | $1,523 | $18,273 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Detroit) | $21.96 |
| 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 Detroit, MI earn a median of $45,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.29% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 3.50% below the Michigan state average of $47,344.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.96/hr = $27,410/year (purchasing power: $27,329).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,683/year (purchasing power: $45,548).
CoL index: 100.298 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Detroit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Detroit grew 26.6% from $16.45/hr (2019) to $20.83/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.16/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 Detroit 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 Detroit
Beyond the straightforward hourly rates, part-time pharmacy technicians working three days a week can expect to take home an annual income that significantly differs from their full-time counterparts. The per-diem jobs often attract individuals because they commonly pay between $20 and $32 an hour, with specialized hospital sterile compounding roles offering up to $40. Many pharmacy technicians in Detroit choose to work for retail chains like CVS or Walgreens, where hourly pay is competitive, yet those in hospital settings often experience better pay due to the complexity of tasks involved, including sterile compounding. Some technicians may accept lower hourly wages for the security of benefits such as health insurance, while others may prioritize higher pay even at the cost of benefits. Those negotiating their pay should consider the type of employer, as specialty pharmacies might offer premium rates, thus positioning their roles competitively against other job offers in the area. Understanding these dynamics can provide valuable insights into the pharmacy technician hourly rate in MI as well as potential career advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Detroit, 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 Detroit. 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