Pharmacy Technician Salary in North Dakota: $48,798 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacy technician pay sits at $48,798/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2052. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $53,041 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bismarck ($49,490), Grand Forks ($47,110), Fargo ($45,390).
The average median salary for pharmacy technicians in North Dakota is projected to be $48,799 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $48,239, indicating an advantage of 1.2% for the state. The highest salaries can be found in Bismarck, where technicians are expected to earn $52,182, while the lowest paying city, Mandan, shows a significantly lower figure of $41,478. This $10,704 salary gap between the highest and lowest paying cities can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, availability of pharmacy jobs, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. In North Dakota, pharmacy technicians must meet certain state licensing requirements and adhere to established scope of practice laws. The demand for pharmacy technicians is driven by an aging population, increasing healthcare needs, and the expansion of pharmacy services across the state. The job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.44%, based on 2025 BLS data, suggesting a steady increase in employment opportunities. Other cities such as Grand Forks ($49,673), Fargo ($47,859), Minot ($47,722), and West Fargo ($43,615) also reflect strong earning potential, contributing to an overall favorable landscape for pharmacy technicians in the state.
North Dakota Pharmacy Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $34,126 (lowest entry-level) to $65,721 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota pharmacy technicians earn 1.16% more than the national median (+$559/year difference).
North Dakota Pharmacy Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacy Technician salaries in North Dakota range from $39,927 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $63,332 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $48,798. The North Dakota median is $559 above the US national median of $48,239. The average hourly rate is $23.46/hr. Approximately 757 pharmacy technicians are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,576
2025 BLS Actual
$46,281
2026 Current Est.
$48,798
2019–2027 Growth
+33.4%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,576 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,218 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,729 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,303 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,419 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,281 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,798 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,453 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 20.0% from $38,576 (2019) to $46,281 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,453 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,877 (33.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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 North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $41,478 |
| Williston | $42,348 |
| Dickinson | $43,395 |
| West Fargo | $43,615 |
| Minot | $47,722 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacy Technicians in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacy technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $52,182 | 91.024 | $57,328 |
| Grand Forks | $49,673 | 86.663 | $57,317 |
| Minot | $47,722 | 87.028 | $54,835 |
| Fargo | $47,859 | 90.871 | $52,667 |
| West Fargo | $43,615 | 92 | $47,408 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,927 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $48,798 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $63,332 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $52,182 |
| 2 | Grand Forks | $49,673 |
| 3 | Fargo | $47,859 |
| 4 | Minot | $47,722 |
| 5 | West Fargo | $43,615 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $43,395 |
| 7 | Williston | $42,348 |
| 8 | Mandan | $41,478 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore pharmacy technician hourly pay in North Dakota 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 North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacy technicians in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota pharmacy technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacy technician salary in North Dakota?
How many pharmacy technicians are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota 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 North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 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