Pharmacy Technician Salary in Bloomington, IL: $45,329 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Bloomington, IL earns a median $45,329/year (≈ $21.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $48,461 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bloomington, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for pharmacy technicians stands at $45,329 in 2026, offering a competitive edge compared to the national figure of $48,239. The salary range indicates diversity in earnings, ranging from $36,145 at the 10th percentile to $52,783 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. The local job market's dynamics show a clear distinction in pay between roles in hospital sterile compounding, which generally command higher wages due to the necessary adherence to USP <797> and <800> standards, compared to retail positions in establishments such as CVS and Walgreens.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,145 | $17.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,241 | $17.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,329 | $21.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,214 | $25.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,783 | $25.38 |
Median Salary Position
6.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IL, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,638 (2026 est.). At $45,329, the local median is 6.03% below the national median of $48,239.
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At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be above the median
How Bloomington Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $45,329/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $44,880 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | -6.03% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $45,329 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.03% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.00% above the Illinois state average of $44,880.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 6.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IL has a cost-of-living index of 93.537 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $45,329 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,461 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,000
2025 BLS Actual
$42,990
2026 Current Est.
$45,329
2019–2027 Growth
+59.3%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,329 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,795 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 43.3% from $30,000 (2019) to $42,990 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,795 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,795 (59.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $36,145 – $37,241 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,241 – $45,329 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,329 – $52,214 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,214 – $52,783 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Bloomington
With approximately 270 pharmacy technicians currently employed in the Bloomington area, the local job market reflects both a stable demand and a growing need for qualified professionals. The cost of living index at 93.537 suggests that despite the personal finances, take-home pay remains relatively strong in comparison to national averages. Key employers such as hospital pharmacies and specialty pharmacies tend to offer higher wages, particularly when certifying credentials like the CSPT may yield additional stipends. Factors such as shift differentials and the specific environments (hospital vs. retail) contribute to the noticeable variance in pay. For those seeking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing further certifications, cultivating experience in compounding pharmacies, and exploring employment with inpatient facilities can be effective strategies in Bloomington's evolving labor landscape.
More salary data for Bloomington, IL:
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 $42,990 for pharmacy techniciansin the Bloomington 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