Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in San Marcos, TX: $24.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in San Marcos, TX runs $24.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,723 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against San Marcos's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,437 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Marcos, Texas, pharmacy technicians earn a median hourly pay of $24.39, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $23.19. This rate provides a competitive edge for those working in various settings, including retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacy IV clean rooms, and specialty pharmacy compounding environments. Entry-level positions typically start at about $19.13 per hour, while more experienced technicians can earn up to $31.89 hourly. For part-time workers, particularly those on a 3-day work schedule, this translates into a significant income that can supplement other endeavors, offering versatility in hours and engagement in a field that is always in demand. With retailers increasingly valuing tech roles due to heightened responsibilities from vaccinations and healthcare expansions, the hourly compensation framework reflects the vital role pharmacy technicians play in today’s healthcare landscape.
About the San Marcos 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) | $19.13 | $153.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.01 | $160.10 |
| Median (P50) | $24.39 | $195.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.36 | $210.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.89 | $255.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Marcos
Based on $24.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.39/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Marcos, TX can expect to earn approximately $50,728 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,266. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Marcos.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Marcos
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $975.53 | $4,227 | $50,728 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $585.32 | $2,536 | $30,437 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $390.21 | $1,691 | $20,291 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (San Marcos) | $24.39 |
| 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 San Marcos, TX earn a median of $50,723 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.15% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 10.00% above the Texas state average of $46,112.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.39/hr = $30,437/year (purchasing power: $31,705).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,728/year (purchasing power: $52,841).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in San Marcos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in San Marcos grew 34.8% from $17.16/hr (2019) to $23.13/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.71/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 San Marcos 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 San Marcos
Considering part-time employment, a pharmacy technician working three days a week for 24 hours could anticipate a take-home of around $37,850 annually, substantially less than the full-time average. For per-diem pharmacy technicians, the earning possibilities can vary widely, with rates typically ranging from $20 to $32 per hour. In specialty niches such as hospital sterile compounding, professionals might bill as much as $25 to $40 hourly or even secure lucrative travel contracts ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. Employment type further influences wages, with retail chains, inpatient hospitals, and mail-order pharmacies offering diverse pay scales. While some pharmacy technicians opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, others may negotiate for higher rates without benefits, highlighting the trade-offs professionals face in San Marcos. Knowing the typical pay range across various employers can facilitate better salary negotiations, ensuring that technicians can optimize their financial outcomes while navigating their career paths.
More salary data for San Marcos, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in San Marcos 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 San Marcos. 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 San Marcos 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