Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Los Lunas, NM: $20.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Los Lunas, NM runs $20.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,324 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Los Lunas's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,397 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Los Lunas, the projected pharmacy technician hourly pay stands at $20.35 in 2026. This figure is notably below the national hourly median of $23.19, pointing to a potential wage gap that could influence job choices for aspiring professionals in the area. This hourly rate is significant for individuals considering part-time work, as those employed three days a week can expect to make around $1,160 monthly based on a standard 24-hour work schedule. Entry-level positions typically start at around $17.60 per hour, while top earners can reach up to $25.60 hourly. Pharmacy technicians can find employment in diverse settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV clean rooms, and specialty compounding environments, highlighting various opportunities available in Los Lunas.
About the Los Lunas 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) | $17.60 | $140.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.95 | $143.57 |
| Median (P50) | $20.35 | $162.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.69 | $173.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.60 | $204.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Lunas
Based on $20.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.35/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Lunas, NM can expect to earn approximately $42,328 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,420. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Los Lunas.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Lunas
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $814.00 | $3,527 | $42,328 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $488.40 | $2,116 | $25,397 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $325.60 | $1,411 | $16,931 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Los Lunas) | $20.35 |
| 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 Los Lunas, NM earn a median of $42,324 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.26% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 7.10% below the New Mexico state average of $45,558.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.35/hr = $25,397/year (purchasing power: $26,903).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,328/year (purchasing power: $44,839).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Los Lunas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Los Lunas grew 34.8% from $14.32/hr (2019) to $19.30/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.46/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 Los Lunas 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 Los Lunas
For part-time pharmacy technicians, working 24 hours a week at the projected hourly rate results in an annual income of around $15,300, which is substantially lower than what full-time technicians might earn. Per-diem workers have varied pay rates; many in Los Lunas typically bill between $20-$32 an hour, while hospital sterile compounding roles can offer higher compensation ranging from $25-$40 per hour. Travel contracts may also provide lucrative options, where pharmacy technicians can earn between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly. Different employer types impact pay, with retail chains like CVS and Walgreens often offering lower rates compared to hospitals and specialty pharmacies. Some technicians accept lower hourly rates for steady employment and benefits, which can be more appealing than taking a higher pay rate that lacks health coverage. In negotiations, it's advisable for professionals in Los Lunas to address not only the pay but also the overall compensation package, including potential benefits offered by their employers.
More salary data for Los Lunas, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Los Lunas in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Los Lunas?
Are pharmacy technicians in Los Lunas paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Los Lunas?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Los Lunas?
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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 Los Lunas. 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 Los Lunas 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