Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Bismarck, ND: $25.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Bismarck, ND runs $25.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,182 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Bismarck's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,305 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Bismarck, North Dakota, the projected median hourly pay for pharmacy technicians in 2026 is set at $25.08, significantly higher than the national median of $23.19 per hour. This competitive rate reflects the robust demand for pharmacy technicians in various settings, including retail pharmacies, hospital IV clean rooms, and long-term care facilities. For part-time workers operating three days a week, the competitive pay allows for a substantial income even without full-time hours, while per-diem workers can expect to earn within a range from entry-level at $19.45 to top earners achieving $31.59 per hour. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicate that Bismarck offers a promising landscape for those entering the pharmacy technician profession, with opportunities for advancement as one gains experience and credentials.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.45 | $155.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.87 | $182.96 |
| Median (P50) | $25.08 | $200.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.39 | $227.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.59 | $252.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bismarck
Based on $25.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.08/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bismarck, ND can expect to earn approximately $52,175 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,101. With a cost-of-living index of 91.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bismarck.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bismarck
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,003.37 | $4,348 | $52,175 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $602.02 | $2,609 | $31,305 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $401.35 | $1,739 | $20,870 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Bismarck) | $25.08 |
| 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 Bismarck, ND earn a median of $52,182 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.17% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 17.60% above the North Dakota state average of $44,373.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.08/hr = $31,305/year (purchasing power: $34,392).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,175/year (purchasing power: $57,320).
CoL index: 91.024 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Bismarck grew 18.3% from $20.11/hr (2019) to $23.79/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.45/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 Bismarck 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 Bismarck
For pharmacy technicians working part-time or in per-diem roles in Bismarck, the potential annual earnings can be substantial. A technician working 24 hours a week may bring home over $31,500, depending on their specific hourly pay rate. Meanwhile, per-diem pharmacy technicians, who may bill between $20 and $32 per hour, experience variable incomes based on demand and scheduling—hospital compounding roles can offer rates from $25 to $40 an hour. It is interesting to note that pharmacy technicians can see differing hourly rates based on their employer type, with retail chains often paying lower than hospitals or specialty pharmacies. However, some technicians may accept lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, which reflects the nuanced choices individuals make in their careers. When negotiating salaries in the Bismarck area, focusing on certifications such as PTCB and USP <797> compliance can be advantageous in securing a higher pay rate, particularly in competitive fields like sterile compounding.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 Bismarck. 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