Pharmacy Technician Salary in Duluth, MN: $50,095 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Duluth, MN earns a median $50,095/year (≈ $24.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $56,434 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Duluth, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $50,095 in 2026, positioning them slightly above the national median of $48,239, reflecting a competitive market for this essential occupation. The salary range for pharmacy technicians in this area varies significantly, with the lower end at $39,055 and the upper tier reaching $61,503. This analysis is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The increase in compensation showcases the growing demand for well-trained pharmacy technicians, especially those with specialized credentials like CSPT, which can contribute to higher pay levels, particularly in sterile compounding settings prevalent in Duluth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,055 | $18.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,874 | $21.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,095 | $24.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,597 | $26.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,503 | $29.57 |
Median Salary Position
3.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,448 (2026 est.). At $50,095, the local median is 3.85% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Duluth Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Duluth median: $50,095/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $51,013 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +3.85% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Duluth, MN earn a median of $50,095 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.85% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.80% below the Minnesota state average of $51,013.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth has a cost of living 11.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 88.768 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $50,095 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,434 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,760
2025 BLS Actual
$47,510
2026 Current Est.
$50,095
2019–2027 Growth
+47.7%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,095 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,820 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 32.9% from $35,760 (2019) to $47,510 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,820 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,060 (47.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $39,055 – $43,874 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,874 – $50,095 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,095 – $54,597 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,597 – $61,503 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Duluth
With approximately 400 pharmacy technicians currently employed in Duluth, the local job market offers a solid foundation for job seekers in this field. The cost of living index in Duluth stands at 88.768, indicating a more affordable environment compared to the national average, thereby enhancing take-home purchasing power for pharmacy technicians. Those seeking higher compensation should consider employment with hospital inpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, or firms like Express Scripts and OptumRx, as these employers traditionally offer superior pay. Factors such as CSPT certification stipends, shift differentials, and varying wage scales between retail and hospital environments contribute to the range in technician salaries. For maximizing earning potential in Duluth, aspiring pharmacy technicians should pursue continued education, specialization, and flexible shift options in order to increase their overall salary prospects.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
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 $47,510 for pharmacy techniciansin the Duluth 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