Pharmacy Technician Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI: $48,924 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Urban Honolulu, HI earns a median $48,924/year (≈ $23.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Urban Honolulu's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.0), that paycheck buys what $44,091 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Urban Honolulu, Hawaii, pharmacy technicians can expect a median annual salary of $48,924, which is slightly higher than the national median of $48,239. The compensation range for pharmacy technicians spans from $38,085 at the 10th percentile to $67,366 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial pay gradient based on the workplace setting. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reveals that those working in hospital sterile compounding roles typically earn more than their retail counterparts, highlighting the importance of specialization in this job market. As Urban Honolulu continues to grow, so does the demand for pharmacy technicians, making this an appealing position for those entering the healthcare field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,085 | $18.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,772 | $19.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,924 | $23.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,220 | $29.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,366 | $32.39 |
Median Salary Position
1.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urban Honolulu
In Urban Honolulu, HI, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,281 (2026 est.). At $48,924, the local median is 1.42% above the national median of $48,239.
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At 40 hours/week in Urban Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urban Honolulu Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Urban Honolulu median: $48,924/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urban Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $57,558 | -15.00% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +1.42% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $48,924 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.42% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 15.00% below the Hawaii state average of $57,558.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urban Honolulu has a cost of living 10.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Urban Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 110.961 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,924 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,091 — a 9.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,900
2025 BLS Actual
$46,400
2026 Current Est.
$48,924
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Urban Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,924 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,586 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urban Honolulu metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 10.7% from $41,900 (2019) to $46,400 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,586 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,686 (23.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urban Honolulu 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) | $38,085 – $39,772 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,772 – $48,924 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,924 – $62,220 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,220 – $67,366 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Urban Honolulu
With approximately 1,100 pharmacy technicians employed in Urban Honolulu, the local job market demonstrates a robust demand for these professionals. However, the cost of living index in the region is 110.961, which indicates that expenses are higher than the national average, impacting the actual purchasing power of the salary earned. Among the employers offering the highest pay, hospital inpatient pharmacies generally provide more competitive wages compared to retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens. Factors such as the setting, certifications like CSPT, and shift differentials play significant roles in determining salary differences. To maximize pay within this market, candidates should consider specializing in sterile compounding or pursuing certifications that enhance their credentials, which can lead to better opportunities, especially in a competitive environment like Urban Honolulu.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, HI:
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 $46,400 for pharmacy techniciansin the Urban Honolulu 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