Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Carlsbad, NM: $20.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Carlsbad, NM runs $20.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,177 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Carlsbad's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,910 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carlsbad, New Mexico, pharmacy technician hourly pay is projected to reach $20.76 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $23.19. This hourly rate translates into practical earning potential for both part-time and per-diem workers, who can find opportunities in various settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV clean rooms, and specialty pharmacy operations. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the pay can still provide a comfortable income, while per-diem technicians often see varying compensation based on the urgency of their roles and the specific work environment. The hourly range for pharmacy technicians in Carlsbad can vary significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $16.92 and experienced technicians potentially making as much as $26.50 per hour.
About the Carlsbad Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.92 | $135.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.40 | $139.18 |
| Median (P50) | $20.76 | $166.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.21 | $177.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.50 | $211.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carlsbad
Based on $20.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.76/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carlsbad, NM can expect to earn approximately $43,183 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,913. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carlsbad.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carlsbad
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $830.45 | $3,599 | $43,183 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $498.27 | $2,159 | $25,910 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $332.18 | $1,439 | $17,273 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Carlsbad) | $20.76 |
| 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 Carlsbad, NM earn a median of $43,177 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.49% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 5.20% below the New Mexico state average of $45,545.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.76/hr = $25,910/year (purchasing power: $27,447).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,183/year (purchasing power: $45,745).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Carlsbad (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Carlsbad grew 34.8% from $14.61/hr (2019) to $19.69/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.89/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 Carlsbad 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 Carlsbad
Calculating what a part-time pharmacy technician earns over the course of a year can provide further insight into this profession. A 3-day workweek at 24 hours total would yield an annual income of approximately $26,797, in contrast to the full-time earnings of around $43,177. The per diem structure offers even more flexibility, as pay rates can range dramatically, with per-diem pharmacy technicians charging $20-$32 per hour and those in hospital sterilization compounding roles earning $25-$40 per hour. Employers across Carlsbad influence hourly rates significantly, depending on whether one works for retail chains like CVS or Walgreens, hospital pharmacies, or specialty and long-term care operations. Many pharmacy technicians must weigh the pros and cons of accepting lower hourly wages for positions that come with health insurance benefits versus higher rates without such perks. When considering negotiations, emphasizing unique skills like compliance with USP <797> and <800>, particularly for sterile compounding positions, can help technicians in Carlsbad maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Carlsbad, NM:
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 Carlsbad. 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 Carlsbad 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