Pharmacy Technician Salary in Benton, AR: $40,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Benton, AR earns a median $40,047/year (≈ $19.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $46,084 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, Arkansas, the anticipated median annual salary for pharmacy technicians in 2026 is projected at $40,047, which represents a notable gap of nearly 16.98% when compared to the national median of $48,239. The salary range for pharmacy technicians in this region spans from $31,493 at the 10th percentile to $51,172 at the 90th percentile, as derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living. This significant variance can often be attributed to differences in employment settings, where those engaged in hospital sterile compounding roles—especially compliant with USP <797> and <800> standards—typically earn more than their counterparts in retail pharmacy environments. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for technicians considering their career paths in Benton.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,493 | $15.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,713 | $15.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,047 | $19.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,872 | $20.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,172 | $24.60 |
Median Salary Position
16.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,679 (2026 est.). At $40,047, the local median is 16.98% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Benton Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Benton median: $40,047/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $40,864 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -16.98% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Benton, AR earn a median of $40,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.98% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $40,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $40,047 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,084 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,185
2025 BLS Actual
$37,981
2026 Current Est.
$40,047
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,185 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,501 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,373 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,456 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,094 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,981 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,226 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $28,185 (2019) to $37,981 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,041 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,493 – $32,713 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,713 – $40,047 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,047 – $42,872 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,872 – $51,172 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Benton
With only five pharmacy technicians currently employed in Benton, the job market remains quite narrow but shows promise for growth with a projected annual increase of 5.44%. The local cost of living index stands at 86.9, suggesting that while pharmacy technician pay in Benton AR is lower than the national average, purchasing power can still be relatively favorable. Retail chains such as CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart usually offer competitive pay, but hospital positions pull ahead in compensation, often supplemented by shift differentials and CSPT certification stipends. To maximize earnings, pharmacy technicians in Benton should consider exploring opportunities in hospitals or specialty pharmacies, where higher pay tiers exist, and seek additional credentials that can set them apart in this evolving field.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $37,981 for pharmacy techniciansin the Benton metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Benton 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