Pharmacy Technician Salary in Ithaca, NY: $47,543 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Ithaca, NY earns a median $47,543/year (≈ $22.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Ithaca's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $46,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.8% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacy technician salary in Ithaca, NY, is projected to reach a median of $47,543. When exploring the pay gradient, it's evident that hospital roles, particularly those involving sterile compounding, generally command higher compensation than retail positions. The salary range for pharmacy technicians in Ithaca spans from $37,547 at the 10th percentile to $58,962 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse job market influenced by varying settings and responsibilities. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlights not just the numbers but the dynamics of the local industry, indicating a robust demand for skilled technicians capable of navigating both retail and clinical environments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,547 | $18.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,554 | $19.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,543 | $22.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,731 | $25.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,962 | $28.34 |
Median Salary Position
1.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ithaca
In Ithaca, NY, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,415 (2026 est.). At $47,543, the local median is 1.44% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ithaca: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ithaca Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Ithaca median: $47,543/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ithaca Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $43,698 | +8.80% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | -1.44% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Ithaca, NY earn a median of $47,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.44% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 8.80% above the New York state average of $43,698.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ithaca has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ithaca, NY has a cost-of-living index of 103.317 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,543 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,017 — a 3.21% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$35,980
2025 BLS Actual
$45,090
2026 Current Est.
$47,543
2019–2027 Growth
+39.3%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,543 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,129 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ithaca metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 25.3% from $35,980 (2019) to $45,090 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,129 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,149 (39.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ithaca 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) | $37,547 – $41,554 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,554 – $47,543 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,543 – $52,731 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,731 – $58,962 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Ithaca
Looking deeper into the local employment landscape, Ithaca currently has 60 pharmacy technicians, supported by a cost of living index of 103.317, which slightly exceeds the national average. This condition underscores the importance of salary when discussing take-home purchasing power. Hospital inpatient pharmacies often offer the highest wages, particularly for certified technicians, such as those with CSPT credentials. In contrast, retail operations like CVS and Walgreens may pay less but could offer additional shift differentials and bonus incentives. The disparity in wages often stems from the specialized nature of hospital roles versus retail, coupled with various factors like certification stipends and the hourly shifts that drive pay variability. For technicians looking to maximize their earnings in Ithaca, pursuing additional certifications, especially in compounding, and exploring opportunities in hospital settings or specialty pharmacies can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Ithaca, NY in 2026?
Is Ithaca, NY a good place to work as a pharmacy technician?
Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Ithaca?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacy technician salary in Ithaca?
How much does a pharmacy technician make per hour in Ithaca?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 $45,090 for pharmacy techniciansin the Ithaca 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