Senior Pharmacy Technician Salary in Moline, IL: $60,830 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of pharmacy technicians working in Moline, IL — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $60,830/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2052. Strip back Moline's price premium (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $62,647 in average-cost America. The 26% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The landscape for senior pharmacy technicians in Moline, Illinois, showcases a promising earning potential for those with substantial experience. In 2026, top earners in this field can expect to pull in a robust annual salary of $60,830, with the 75th percentile earning $52,231. This presents a noteworthy gap when compared to the median salary of $48,375. To reach such top-tier compensation, pharmacy technicians often need over seven years of experience and may pursue advanced credentials like the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or a specialized CSPT for sterile compounding. Moline's top salaries also exceed the national top earners, indicating a competitive pay structure that rewards expertise and specialized skills.
About the Moline Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moline
Experienced pharmacy technicians at the top of the pay scale in Moline earn between $52,231 and $60,830 per year (2026 est.). This $22,168 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Moline median of $48,375 sits 0.28% above the US median.
Top CPhT Salary Comparison
| Level | Moline | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $48,375 | $48,239 |
| 75th Percentile | $52,231 | $52,709 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $60,830 | $64,361 |
In Moline, experienced pharmacy technicians (P90) earn 25.75% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Pharmacy Technician Pay in Moline
Advanced Certifications in Illinois
IL pharmacy technicians with additional specialty certifications within the pharmacy field earn significantly above the $48,375 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Moline employers.
Specialty Focus
Pharmacy Technicians focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the pharmacy field in Moline command premium compensation, often reaching the $52,231–$60,830 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Moline metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced pharmacy technicians who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured pharmacy technicians in Moline with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Pharmacy Technicians in Illinois who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Pharmacy Technician Career & Wage Growth Path in Moline
Clinical Pharmacy Technician
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Pharmacy Technician
5-10 yearsPharmacy Technician Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMoline ranks #6 of 65 Illinois cities for top earner pharmacy technician salary (90th percentile: $60,830).
Top 10% pharmacy technician compensation in Moline ($60,830) is 0.69% below the Illinois average P90 ($61,253).
2019 BLS Actual
$46,435
2025 BLS Actual
$57,692
2026 Current Est.
$60,830
2019–2027 Growth
+38.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,435 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,664 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,862 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,996 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,943 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,692 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,830 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,140 | Projected |
Top-earning pharmacy technicians (90th percentile) in Moline saw their compensation grow 24.2% from $46,435 in 2019 to $57,692 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.44% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $64,140 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moline 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.
Maximizing Your Pharmacy Technician Earnings in Moline
Compensation for seasoned pharmacy technicians in Moline reflects the nuances of employer types and specializations. High-demand areas, such as sterile compounding and chemotherapy compounding, significantly influence senior pharmacy technician pay in IL, with those adept in these skills often seeking higher wages. The shift towards automation in hospital pharmacies further invites opportunities for advancement into roles like pharmacy automation coordinator or inventory manager. Diverse industry settings contribute to the compensation variances—retail chains and mail-order operations may have different wage scales compared to hospital inpatient pharmacies or compounding facilities. Enhancement of pay can also be driven by obtaining advanced credentials and participation in specialized programs that align with evolving industry standards, such as USP <797> compliance. Beyond salary, perks like shift differentials and CSPT stipends add to the appeal of senior positions in this field.
More salary data for Moline, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced pharmacy technicians make in Moline in 2026?
What drives higher pharmacy technician pay in Moline?
What certifications boost pharmacy technician salary in Moline?
Can experienced pharmacy technicians make six figures in Moline?
How much does pharmacy technician salary increase over time in Moline?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $57,692 for pharmacy technicians in the Moline metro area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moline is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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