Pharmacy Technician Salary in Akron, OH: $41,944 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Akron, OH earns a median $41,944/year (≈ $20.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Akron's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $44,922 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Akron, Ohio are projected to earn a median annual salary of $41,944, which is notably lower than the national median of $48,239. The local salary range spans from $37,094 at the 10th percentile to $58,003 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlight a distinct pay gradient within the industry; those engaged in hospital sterile compounding generally receive higher compensation compared to their retail counterparts. With the increasing demands placed on pharmacy technicians, especially following a period of heightened responsibilities due to vaccination efforts, Akron's job market continues to reflect both challenges and opportunities within the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,094 | $17.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,749 | $18.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,944 | $20.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,369 | $24.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,003 | $27.89 |
Median Salary Position
13.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Akron
In Akron, OH, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,909 (2026 est.). At $41,944, the local median is 13.05% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Akron: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Akron Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Akron median: $41,944/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Akron Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $43,197 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -13.05% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Akron, OH earn a median of $41,944 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.05% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 2.90% below the Ohio state average of $43,197.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Akron has a cost of living 6.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Akron, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $41,944 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,922 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,900
2025 BLS Actual
$39,780
2026 Current Est.
$41,944
2019–2027 Growth
+53.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Akron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,944 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,226 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Akron metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 37.6% from $28,900 (2019) to $39,780 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,326 (53.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Akron 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) | $37,094 – $38,749 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,749 – $41,944 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,944 – $50,369 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,369 – $58,003 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Akron
In Akron, the local job market is robust, with approximately 1,020 pharmacy technicians employed in the area. Despite the relatively lower median pay compared to national standards, the cost of living index stands at 93.37, suggesting that earnings can stretch a bit further in this city. Employers like hospital inpatient pharmacies typically offer higher salaries than retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens, which have seen significant fluctuations including recent layoffs. Factors such as CSPT certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight shifts, and the demand for certified pharmacy technicians adhering to USP compliance regulations contribute to variations in pay within the area. Aspiring pharmacy technicians should consider pursuing specialized certifications and seeking positions in higher-paying settings, such as hospital sterile compounding, to maximize their earning potential in Akron, OH.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
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 $39,780 for pharmacy techniciansin the Akron 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