Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Altus, OK: $19.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Altus, OK runs $19.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,658 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Altus's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,397 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Altus, Oklahoma, the projected hourly pay for pharmacy technicians is $19.55, which is notably lower than the national median of $23.19. This disparity can directly impact individuals seeking part-time or per diem opportunities within the local healthcare settings, such as retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and specialty compounding facilities. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly wage translates into a weekly income that could allow for flexible work while still supporting living expenses. Entry-level positions typically start around $15.88 per hour, while more experienced technicians can earn up to $25.27, illustrating a distinct pay range for technicians at different stages of their careers and positions across various pharmacy environments.
About the Altus Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.88 | $127.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.20 | $129.56 |
| Median (P50) | $19.55 | $156.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.17 | $161.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.27 | $202.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Altus
Based on $19.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.55/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Altus, OK can expect to earn approximately $40,661 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,458. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Altus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Altus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $781.94 | $3,388 | $40,661 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $469.17 | $2,033 | $24,397 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $312.78 | $1,355 | $16,264 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Altus) | $19.55 |
| 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 Altus, OK earn a median of $40,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.72% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 5.20% below the Oklahoma state average of $42,888.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.55/hr = $24,397/year (purchasing power: $27,443).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,661/year (purchasing power: $45,738).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Altus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Altus grew 34.8% from $13.76/hr (2019) to $18.54/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.61/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 Altus 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 Altus
Considering part-time work, a pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week at the $19.55 hourly rate would earn approximately $24,000 annually, which is significantly less than that of a full-time employee. Per diem and locum tenens positions present an alternative avenue for higher earnings, with rates ranging from $20 to $32 per hour, depending on the work setting. For instance, hospital positions, especially for sterile compounding, can yield between $25 and $40 per hour, with travel contracts reaching as high as $1,800 a week in certain markets. Various employers influence wages, with retail chains like CVS and Walgreens typically offering lower rates compared to hospital and specialty pharmacies. Some pharmacy technicians may choose to accept lower wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, prompting a complex decision-making process regarding job opportunities. Those in Altus should negotiate strategically, taking into account their qualifications, the demand for their skills, and the specific health care environment to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Altus, OK:
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 Altus. 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 Altus 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