Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Ponce, PR: $14.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Ponce, PR runs $14.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $29,492 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $18.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,699 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The pharmacy technician hourly pay in Ponce, Puerto Rico, stands at a median rate of $14.18, significantly lower than the national median of $23.19. This discrepancy implies that part-time workers, often clocking in around three days a week, might take home approximately $14,000 annually based solely on their hourly wages. Those working in diverse settings, such as retail pharmacy counters or hospital compounding labs, experience a pay scale ranging from $11.28 for entry-level positions to $21.74 for experienced professionals. Such figures reflect the official BLS data and highlight the importance of understanding how local wages compare to national standards as pharmacy technicians assess their career paths in areas such as USP <797> and <800> compliance.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.28 | $90.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.87 | $94.98 |
| Median (P50) | $14.18 | $113.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.90 | $167.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.74 | $173.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ponce
Based on $14.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.18/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ponce, PR can expect to earn approximately $29,498 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $17,018.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ponce
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $567.27 | $2,458 | $29,498 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $340.36 | $1,475 | $17,699 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $226.91 | $983 | $11,799 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Ponce) | $14.18 |
| 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 Ponce, PR earn a median of $29,492 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.86% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 7.20% below the Puerto Rico state average of $31,780.
2019 BLS Actual
$8.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+69.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Ponce (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $8.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $8.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $10.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $10.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $11.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $11.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Ponce grew 52.1% from $8.84/hr (2019) to $13.45/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.95/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 Ponce 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 Ponce
Considering the realities of part-time and per-diem positions in Ponce, the financial picture becomes more nuanced. A pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week could see annual earnings significantly less than their full-time counterparts, landing them in a challenging financial situation given the rising cost of living. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Ponce fluctuates, with rates typical between $20 and $32 per hour; specialized roles, such as those in hospital sterile compounding, command even higher wages, reaching up to $40 per hour. These varying rates across different employers, from retail chains like CVS and Walgreens to specialized compounding pharmacies, underline the diversity of earning potential within the field. While some technicians may choose roles with lower pay for benefits like health insurance, others may advocate for higher pay rates without benefits. Understanding this pay structure is essential for effective salary negotiations, particularly in Ponce's evolving job market.
More salary data for Ponce, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Ponce in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Ponce. 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