Pharmacy Technician Salary in Decatur, IL: $42,766 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Decatur, IL earns a median $42,766/year (≈ $20.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $48,366 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Illinois, the projected median salary for pharmacy technicians in 2026 is $42,766, reflecting the varied pay structures prevalent in this market. Salary levels range from $38,338 at the 10th percentile to $54,797 at the 90th percentile, revealing a significant income potential based on experience, setting, and certifications. This data is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting a crucial distinction in earnings based on employment settings, such as retail versus hospital sterile compounding roles. Those working in hospital settings often earn more, driven by the advanced skills required for compliance with USP <797> and <800> standards and the evolving needs in healthcare.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,338 | $18.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,561 | $19.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,766 | $20.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,852 | $23.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,797 | $26.35 |
Median Salary Position
11.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,459 (2026 est.). At $42,766, the local median is 11.35% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Decatur median: $42,766/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $44,876 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -11.35% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Decatur, IL earn a median of $42,766 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.35% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 4.70% below the Illinois state average of $44,876.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $42,766 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,366 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,540
2025 BLS Actual
$40,560
2026 Current Est.
$42,766
2019–2027 Growth
+52.7%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,766 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,093 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 37.3% from $29,540 (2019) to $40,560 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,093 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,553 (52.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $38,338 – $39,561 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,561 – $42,766 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,766 – $49,852 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,852 – $54,797 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Decatur
Looking at the local job market, Decatur employs around 180 pharmacy technicians, which indicates healthy demand amidst a cost-of-living index of 88.422. This lower-than-national average cost enhances take-home purchasing power for pharmacy technicians, making the salary more competitive in real terms. Employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and hospital pharmacies lead in pay, with hospital sterile compounding roles generally offering higher wages. Shift differentials for nights or weekends and CSPT certification stipends also contribute to pay elevation. To maximize earning potential in Decatur, technicians should consider gaining specialized certifications and opting for positions in inpatient or specialty pharmacies, where the disparity between lower retail pay and higher hospital wages becomes evident.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 $40,560 for pharmacy techniciansin the Decatur 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