Pharmacy Technician Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $50,189 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $50,189/year (≈ $24.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $52,529 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, MI, the projected median annual salary for pharmacy technicians is $50,189 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $48,239. This compensation reflects the varied pay scale in the local market, where salaries range from $38,254 at the 10th percentile to $59,795 at the 90th percentile. The data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and adjusted for 2026, highlights that those in hospital settings, particularly involved in sterile compounding, tend to earn significantly more than their retail counterparts in chains like CVS and Walgreens. As the local demand for pharmacy professionals continues to grow, understanding these salary dynamics is essential for those considering a career as a pharmacy technician in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,254 | $18.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,071 | $20.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,189 | $24.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,718 | $24.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,795 | $28.74 |
Median Salary Position
4.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,541 (2026 est.). At $50,189, the local median is 4.04% above the national median of $48,239.
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At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be above the median
How Grand Rapids Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $50,189/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $47,304 | +6.10% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +4.04% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $50,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.04% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 6.10% above the Michigan state average of $47,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $50,189 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,529 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,840
2025 BLS Actual
$47,600
2026 Current Est.
$50,189
2019–2027 Growth
+66.2%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,189 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,920 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 49.5% from $31,840 (2019) to $47,600 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,920 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,080 (66.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $38,254 – $42,071 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,071 – $50,189 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,189 – $51,718 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,718 – $59,795 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Grand Rapids
Exploring the job market for pharmacy technicians in Grand Rapids reveals a vibrant local employment landscape with around 1,630 individuals currently filling these roles. The cost of living index stands at 95.546, indicating that expenses in the area are below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of technicians in the region. Among the highest-paying employers are hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacy operations, driven by the complexity of their services. Factors contributing to the salary range include the specific work setting—hospital sterile compounding jobs often command higher pay—along with CSPT certification stipends and shift differentials for night shifts. To maximize earnings, pharmacy technicians may consider pursuing additional certifications and seeking positions in settings known for better pay. This strategic approach can lead to enhanced compensation as the industry evolves.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Grand Rapids?
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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 $47,600 for pharmacy techniciansin the Grand Rapids 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