Pharmacy Technician Salary in Joplin, MO: $39,920 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Joplin, MO earns a median $39,920/year (≈ $19.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Joplin's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $46,571 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Joplin, Missouri, pharmacy technicians can expect to earn a median annual salary of $39,920 in 2026. This figure reflects a significant difference when compared to the national median of $48,239, highlighting the pay gradient that exists in the local market. Salary ranges for pharmacy technicians in the area span from $33,519 at the 10th percentile to $52,214 at the 90th percentile. This data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, which indicate that Joplin's job market is characterized by various settings, with hospital sterile compounding roles generally yielding higher pay rates compared to retail positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,519 | $16.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,691 | $22.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,214 | $25.11 |
Median Salary Position
17.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joplin
In Joplin, MO, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,695 (2026 est.). At $39,920, the local median is 17.25% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joplin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joplin Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Joplin median: $39,920/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joplin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $39,880 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | -17.25% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Joplin, MO earn a median of $39,920 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.25% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 0.10% above the Missouri state average of $39,880.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joplin has a cost of living 14.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joplin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 85.718 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $39,920 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,571 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,310
2025 BLS Actual
$37,860
2026 Current Est.
$39,920
2019–2027 Growth
+43.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,920 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,091 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joplin metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 29.2% from $29,310 (2019) to $37,860 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,091 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,781 (43.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joplin 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) | $33,519 – $36,630 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,630 – $39,920 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,920 – $47,691 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,691 – $52,214 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Joplin
Job market dynamics in Joplin show a community of around 310 pharmacy technicians supporting the local healthcare system. With a cost of living index of 85.718, which is notably below the national average, pharmacy technician pay in Joplin reflects a more manageable living situation compared to many urban areas. Among the various employers, hospitals and specialty pharmacies typically offer the most competitive salaries. Factors influencing pay include the setting, such as hospital sterile compounding, which generally commands a premium. Additionally, things like CSPT certification stipends and shift differentials can further widen the pay gap. For pharmacy technicians looking to maximize their earning potential in Joplin, obtaining certifications and seeking employment in higher-paying sectors, such as hospital or specialty pharmacy settings, can be key strategies.
More salary data for Joplin, MO:
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 $37,860 for pharmacy techniciansin the Joplin 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