Pharmacy Technician Salary in Columbia, MO
Pharmacy Technicians in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median $37,750 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,675 take-home, or $2,640 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacy technician salary in Columbia, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,350
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,341
- Medicare (1.45%)$547
- Missouri income tax$837
- Take-home pay$31,675
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
Pharmacy Technician pay by experience in Columbia, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,880 | $15.33 | $27,235 | $2,270 |
| 25th percentile | $35,010 | $16.83 | $29,602 | $2,467 |
| Median (50th) | $37,750 | $18.15 | $31,675 | $2,640 |
| 75th percentile | $45,930 | $22.08 | $37,863 | $3,155 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,820 | $25.88 | $43,832 | $3,653 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,750 buys in Columbia, MO
Prices in Columbia, MO are 10.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 31% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pharmacy technician's $31,675 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,416 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbia, MO has 1.5× the national concentration of pharmacy technician jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for pharmacy technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, MO ranks #143 of 167 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $75,490 | $58,129 | $52,642 |
| 2 | Spokane, WA | $57,830 | $48,646 | $48,479 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $61,320 | $51,451 | $46,296 |
| 4 | Killeen, TX | $47,400 | $40,266 | $44,184 |
| 5 | Shreveport, LA | $44,890 | $37,289 | $43,990 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $58,470 | $46,843 | $43,914 |
| 7 | Vallejo, CA | $58,670 | $46,989 | $43,316 |
| 8 | Sioux Falls, SD | $45,610 | $38,828 | $42,841 |
| 143 | Columbia, MO | $37,750 | $31,675 | $35,416 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 167 metros →
Pharmacy Technician salaries elsewhere in Missouri
- Kansas City, MO — $45,360
- St. Louis, MO — $45,220
- Springfield, MO — $39,490
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacy technician make in Columbia, MO?
The median pharmacy technician salary in the Columbia, MO metro area is $37,750 a year, or about $18.15 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,010 and $45,930.
What is a pharmacy technician’s take-home pay in Columbia, MO?
On the median $37,750 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $31,675 a year ($2,640 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $837 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, MO a good place to work as a pharmacy technician?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $45,750. Local prices are 10.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,416 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, MO ranks #143 of 167 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacy technician afford rent in Columbia, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbia, MO is $978 a month ($1,138 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median pharmacy technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
- Registered Nurse — $84,330
- Family Medicine Physician — $69,590
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $61,670