Pharmacy Technician Salary in Galesburg, IL: $42,585 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Galesburg, IL earns a median $42,585/year (≈ $20.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Galesburg's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $43,857 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galesburg, Illinois, pharmacy technicians can expect to earn a median annual salary of $42,585 in 2026, reflecting a relatively stable local job market. This figure represents a salary range from $34,933 at the 10th percentile to $55,902 at the 90th percentile, providing insight into the varying levels of compensation across the region. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions and presented in the context of a cost of living index that sits at 97.1, slightly below the national average. Notably, technicians with specialized credentials such as the CSPT (Certified Sterile Compounding Technician) can enhance their earning potential within the market, especially in settings demanding strict adherence to USP <797> and <800> compliance.
About the Galesburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,933 | $16.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,720 | $17.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,585 | $20.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,495 | $22.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,902 | $26.88 |
Median Salary Position
11.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galesburg
In Galesburg, IL, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,969 (2026 est.). At $42,585, the local median is 11.72% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galesburg Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Galesburg median: $42,585/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $44,874 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -11.72% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Galesburg, IL earn a median of $42,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.72% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $44,874.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galesburg has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Galesburg, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $42,585 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,857 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,971
2025 BLS Actual
$40,388
2026 Current Est.
$42,585
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,971 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,986 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,434 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,361 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,577 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,687 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,388 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,585 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,902 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galesburg metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $29,971 (2019) to $40,388 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,902 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,931 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galesburg 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) | $34,933 – $35,720 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,720 – $42,585 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,585 – $46,495 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,495 – $55,902 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Galesburg
With only four pharmacy technicians employed in Galesburg, the job market for this profession remains competitive yet narrow. The cost of living index suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national median, the local purchasing power remains manageable. Major employers in the area include retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty pharmacies, with hospital settings typically offering higher compensation due to demands for sterile compounding. Factors influencing the pay spectrum here include certification stipends for CSPT credential holders, the differences in wage scales between retail and hospital environments, and additional shift differentials typically associated with night shifts. For aspiring pharmacy technicians in Galesburg, obtaining advanced credentials and pursuing employment in specialized settings can significantly boost earning potential within this market.
More salary data for Galesburg, 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 $40,388 for pharmacy techniciansin the Galesburg 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 Galesburg 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