Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Copperas Cove, TX: $21.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Copperas Cove, TX runs $21.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,593 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Copperas Cove's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,752 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Copperas Cove, the projected pharmacy technician hourly rate for 2026 is $21.44, which falls below the national median of $23.19. This rate reflects the compensation for pharmacy technicians in various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital clean rooms, and specialty compounding areas. For those considering part-time work, earning this rate for three days a week (about 24 hours) translates to approximately $1,030 monthly before taxes. Entry-level technicians may see hourly wages start at $18.25, while experienced professionals can earn up to $28.16 per hour, illustrating the potential for growth within this role. While these estimates are derived from annual salary data, they signal a competitive environment for both full-time and part-time pharmacy technicians in this Texas city.
About the Copperas Cove Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.25 | $146.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.61 | $148.88 |
| Median (P50) | $21.44 | $171.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.42 | $187.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.16 | $225.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Copperas Cove
Based on $21.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.44/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Copperas Cove, TX can expect to earn approximately $44,587 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,723. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Copperas Cove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Copperas Cove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $857.44 | $3,716 | $44,587 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $514.46 | $2,229 | $26,752 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $342.98 | $1,486 | $17,835 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Copperas Cove) | $21.44 |
| 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 Copperas Cove, TX earn a median of $44,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.56% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $46,114.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.44/hr = $26,752/year (purchasing power: $27,867).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,587/year (purchasing power: $46,445).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Copperas Cove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Copperas Cove grew 34.8% from $15.09/hr (2019) to $20.33/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.60/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 Copperas Cove 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 Copperas Cove
Part-time pharmacy technicians working in Copperas Cove may find themselves in a unique situation compared to their full-time counterparts. If they work 24 hours weekly, their annual salary seems modest, yet flexibility often comes at a cost in terms of lower income. Conversely, per diem pharmacy technician pay in the area can range from $20 to $32 per hour, offering lucrative options for those willing to take on short-term assignments. Particularly in hospital settings for sterile compounding, per diem wages can range from $25 to $40 hourly, and travel contracts may even exceed $1,800 weekly, creating an enticing prospect for technicians with the right qualifications, such as USP <797> compliance. Employers, including retail giants like CVS and Walgreens, as well as specialized pharmacies, often exhibit varying pay scales, reflecting their operational demands and benefits. While some pharmacy technicians may opt for lower hourly wages to access health benefits, others prioritize higher pay rates without benefits. As the market evolves, effective negotiation skills become increasingly important for those seeking to maximize their hourly income in this bustling field.
More salary data for Copperas Cove, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Copperas Cove in 2026?
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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 Copperas Cove. 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 Copperas Cove 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