Pharmacy Technician Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $40,025 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $40,025/year (≈ $19.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $46,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacy technician salary in Hot Springs, AR, is projected to be a median of $40,025, which lags behind the national median of $48,239 by approximately 17.03%. Wage distribution for pharmacy technicians in this area varies significantly, ranging from $36,071 at the 10th percentile to $51,602 at the 90th percentile, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. This salary landscape reflects a market that offers competitive pay but also underscores challenges unique to the region. For pharmacy technicians, the overnight retail premium and potential shift differentials can add substantial value, particularly in a city where the job market for this role includes a variety of employers, from retail chains to hospitals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,071 | $17.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,001 | $18.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,025 | $19.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,091 | $23.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,602 | $24.81 |
Median Salary Position
17.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,531 (2026 est.). At $40,025, the local median is 17.03% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hot Springs Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $40,025/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $40,884 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -17.03% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $40,025 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.03% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 2.10% below the Arkansas state average of $40,884.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs has a cost of living 14.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.73 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $40,025 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,687 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,250
2025 BLS Actual
$37,960
2026 Current Est.
$40,025
2019–2027 Growth
+39.5%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,025 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,202 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 25.5% from $30,250 (2019) to $37,960 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,202 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,952 (39.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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) | $36,071 – $38,001 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,001 – $40,025 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,025 – $48,091 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,091 – $51,602 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Hot Springs
Currently, Hot Springs has about 160 pharmacy technicians employed, providing a steady job market despite the cost of living index standing at 85.73, suggesting affordability compared to national averages. Among the highest-paying employers are hospital inpatient pharmacies, which typically offer superior compensation packages due to the complexity and demands of roles such as sterile compounding, especially for those with CSPT certification. Local retail chains like CVS and Walgreens have also raised wages amid staffing shortages. To maximize earnings, technicians should consider pursuing certifications like the PTCB or NHA ExCPT, as well as seeking positions in hospital settings. Understanding these dynamics is crucial in navigating the disparities in pharmacy technician pay in Hot Springs, AR.
More salary data for Hot Springs, 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 $37,960 for pharmacy techniciansin the Hot Springs 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
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