Pharmacy Technician Salary in Altoona, PA: $38,812 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Altoona, PA earns a median $38,812/year (≈ $18.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.5), that paycheck buys what $43,362 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacy technician salary in Altoona is projected to reach a median of $38,812, a figure that reflects a notable difference when compared to the national median of $48,239. With salaries ranging from $33,456 at the lower end (P10) to $55,799 at the higher end (P90), this market indicates a diverse compensation structure influenced by various factors. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights not only the economic landscape for pharmacy technicians in Altoona but also points to the differentiation in pay scales between those employed in hospital sterile compounding positions and their counterparts in retail environments. The competitive pay gradient underscores the critical need for certified technicians in compliance with USP <797> and <800> regulations, paving the way for higher wages in specialized roles within hospitals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,456 | $16.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,967 | $17.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,812 | $18.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,879 | $22.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,799 | $26.82 |
Median Salary Position
19.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,343 (2026 est.). At $38,812, the local median is 19.54% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Altoona Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Altoona median: $38,812/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $39,524 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -19.54% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Altoona, PA earn a median of $38,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.54% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $39,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 10.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 89.507 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $38,812 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,362 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,320
2025 BLS Actual
$36,810
2026 Current Est.
$38,812
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,812 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,924 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 21.4% from $30,320 (2019) to $36,810 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,924 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,604 (34.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $33,456 – $36,967 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,967 – $38,812 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,812 – $46,879 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,879 – $55,799 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Altoona
Within Altoona, the job market for pharmacy technicians is strong, with approximately 190 individuals currently employed in this profession. The cost of living index stands at 89.507, suggesting that wages stretch further in this area compared to the national average. Notable employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and local hospitals vary significantly in their pay, with hospital inpatient pharmacies generally leading the market in compensation. Several factors drive the wage disparity, including the setting—hospital sterile compounding positions command a premium over retail jobs. Additional stipends for CSPT certification and differentials for shifts further enhance earning potential. For pharmacy technicians aiming to maximize their pay in Altoona, targeting employment in specialized health care settings and pursuing continuous education related to regulatory compliance will be key strategies to increase their earning capacity and job stability in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
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 $36,810 for pharmacy techniciansin the Altoona 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