Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Austin, TX: $23.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Austin, TX runs $23.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,567 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Austin's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,739 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Austin, Texas, pharmacy technicians enjoy a median hourly rate of $23.83, which exceeds the national median of $23.19 by approximately 2.75%. This pay level is particularly beneficial for part-time workers, who may typically work three days a week, translating to around 24 hours. In various settings such as retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacy clean rooms, and specialty compounding environments, this hourly rate provides a solid income, allowing part-time pharmacy technicians to earn a respectable take-home pay. The pay range for this profession in Austin spans from $18.96 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $29.80 for the most experienced professionals. These numbers reflect projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for 2026, offering a glimpse into the financial prospects for those considering or currently pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician in Austin.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.96 | $151.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.56 | $164.49 |
| Median (P50) | $23.83 | $190.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.23 | $201.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.80 | $238.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Austin
Based on $23.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.83/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Austin, TX can expect to earn approximately $49,565 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,595. With a cost-of-living index of 98.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Austin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Austin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $953.18 | $4,130 | $49,565 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $571.91 | $2,478 | $29,739 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.27 | $1,652 | $19,826 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Austin) | $23.83 |
| 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 Austin, TX earn a median of $49,567 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.75% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 7.50% above the Texas state average of $46,109.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.83/hr = $29,739/year (purchasing power: $30,326).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,565/year (purchasing power: $50,543).
CoL index: 98.066 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Austin grew 33.3% from $16.95/hr (2019) to $22.60/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.13/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 Austin 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 Austin
For pharmacy technicians working part-time, the financial landscape can vary significantly compared to full-time employment. A technician working three days a week for a total of 24 hours annually can expect to earn approximately $29,411, dependent on their hourly rate. In the context of per-diem opportunities, pay rates can vary widely; per-diem pharmacy technicians in Austin commonly charge between $20 and $32 per hour, whereas those in sterile compounding positions can earn between $25 and $40 per hour. Travel contracts for pharmacy technicians, particularly in areas experiencing shortages, can offer even more lucrative earnings of $1,200 to $1,800 per week. The type of employer greatly influences hourly pay, with large retail chains like CVS and Walgreens generally offering different rates than hospitals, mail-order pharmacies, or specialty compounding establishments. Some pharmacy techs may accept lower pay at retail operations in exchange for comprehensive health benefits, while others may prioritize higher hourly wages available in environments such as hospitals or specialty settings. Negotiating hourly pay in Austin can be challenging but understanding market rates across different sectors can lead to better compensation outcomes for technicians seeking to maximize their earnings.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 Austin. 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