Pharmacy Technician salary in Columbia, MO
Pharmacy Technicians in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $37,750 a year ($18.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,820 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $45,750. Pay here is 6% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $40,100. There are 4.6 pharmacy technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pharmacy technicians in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,880 | $15.33 |
| 25th percentile | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Median | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| 75th percentile | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,820 | $25.88 |
| Average (mean) | $41,990 | $20.19 |
Half of pharmacy technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,145.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,572.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,451.92 |
| Weekly | $725.96 |
| Hourly | $18.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacy Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $45,360 | 3,550 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $45,220 | 4,980 |
| Springfield, MO | $39,490 | 1,020 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $37,860 | 310 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $36,930 | 240 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $36,410 | 200 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $35,910 | 230 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacy technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $58,900 |
| California | $55,110 |
| Oregon | $54,900 |
| Alaska | $52,640 |
| Colorado | $49,970 |
| Montana | $49,400 |
| Minnesota | $48,300 |
| Wyoming | $48,260 |
| Utah | $48,140 |
| Nevada | $47,980 |
See Pharmacy Technician pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $43,170 | $20.75 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $67,400 | $32.41 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,170 | $33.26 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,640 | $22.91 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,980 | $21.14 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $76,930 | $36.99 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $36,600 | $17.60 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $88,540 | $42.57 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $43,300 | $20.82 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| Registered Nurse | $84,330 | $40.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2052. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacy technician make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for pharmacy technicians in the Columbia, MO metro area is $37,750 a year, or $18.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacy technicians make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of pharmacy technicians in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $53,820 a year. The top 25% earn $45,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacy technicians in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,880 a year, and a quarter of pharmacy technicians earn $35,010 or less.
How many pharmacy technicians work in Columbia, MO?
About 500 pharmacy technicians are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.