Pharmacy Technician Salary in Nebraska: $49,288 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacy technician pay sits at $49,288/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2052. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $53,867 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Omaha ($47,290), Grand Island ($46,820), Lincoln ($46,140).
In Nebraska, the average median salary for pharmacy technicians in 2026 is projected to be $49,288, which is approximately 2.2% higher than the national median of $48,239. The highest-paying city is Omaha, with a salary of $49,863, while North Platte offers the lowest at $41,044. This salary gap of $8,819 can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services in urban versus rural areas, and the concentration of pharmacies in metropolitan regions. Pharmacy technicians in Nebraska must adhere to state licensing requirements that include completing an accredited pharmacy technician program and passing a certification exam. The scope of practice laws also influence responsibilities, which may affect job opportunities and salaries. In addition to regulatory factors, the demand for pharmacy technicians is driven by an aging population and an increasing emphasis on healthcare services, contributing to an expected annual growth rate of 5.44%. With a total employment figure of 2,022 pharmacy technicians in the state, job prospects appear strong in key cities like Grand Island with a salary of $49,367, and Lincoln at $48,650. The overall outlook for pharmacy technician roles in Nebraska remains positive as the healthcare sector continues to expand.
Nebraska Pharmacy Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $33,184 (lowest entry-level) to $61,777 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska pharmacy technicians earn 2.17% more than the national median (+$1,049/year difference).
Nebraska Pharmacy Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacy Technician salaries in Nebraska range from $40,030 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $59,070 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,288. The Nebraska median is $1,049 above the US national median of $48,239. The average hourly rate is $23.69/hr. Approximately 2,022 pharmacy technicians are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,836
2025 BLS Actual
$46,745
2026 Current Est.
$49,288
2019–2027 Growth
+53.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,836 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,391 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,059 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,854 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,038 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,536 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,745 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,288 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,969 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 38.2% from $33,836 (2019) to $46,745 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,969 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,133 (53.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| North Platte | $41,044 |
| Papillion | $41,057 |
| La Vista | $41,099 |
| Norfolk | $41,107 |
| Columbus | $41,216 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacy Technicians in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacy technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island | $49,367 | 86.657 | $56,968 |
| Omaha | $49,863 | 91.911 | $54,251 |
| Lincoln | $48,650 | 91.581 | $53,122 |
| Hastings | $43,063 | 91.5 | $47,063 |
| Fremont | $42,830 | 91.5 | $46,809 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,030 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,288 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $59,070 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | $49,863 |
| 2 | Grand Island | $49,367 |
| 3 | Lincoln | $48,650 |
| 4 | Hastings | $43,063 |
| 5 | Fremont | $42,830 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $42,741 |
| 7 | Kearney | $42,504 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $42,358 |
| 9 | Columbus | $41,216 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $41,107 |
| 11 | La Vista | $41,099 |
| 12 | Papillion | $41,057 |
| 13 | North Platte | $41,044 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore pharmacy technician hourly pay in Nebraska cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacy technicians.
Explore More Pharmacy Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacy technicians in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska pharmacy technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacy technician salary in Nebraska?
How many pharmacy technicians are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska city offers the best value for pharmacy technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacy technician compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacy technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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