2024 Data

Pharmacy Technician Salary in Boston, MA: $48,703 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $23.41/hour | $32,862 - $70,652 range

Median Annual Salary

$48,703

20.9% vs national

Hourly Rate

$23.41

/hour

Jobs in Area

535

employed

Salary Range$32,862 - $70,652
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

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Boston, MA

$48,703

San Jose, CA

$54,416

$5,713 more (+11.7%)

in San Jose, CA

Pharmacy Technician Salary Range in Boston, MA

Annual Salary Range

$49k

$33k

10th percentile

$39k

25th

$59k

75th

$71k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$32,862$15.80
25th Percentile$39,241$18.87
Median (50th Percentile)$48,703$23.41
75th Percentile$58,846$28.29
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$70,652$33.97
Average (Mean)$52,389$25.19

Pharmacy Technician Market Insights for Boston, MA

Compensation Overview

Pharmacy Technicians in Boston, MA are among the highest paid in both the nation and Massachusetts. This premium reflects the competitive local market and strong demand from employers seeking top talent in the region.

Local Market Context

Boston, MA is a high cost-of-living metro area, which typically correlates with higher nominal salaries. While wages may appear higher, purchasing power should be carefully evaluated against housing, transportation, and everyday expenses in the Massachusetts market.

Cost of Living Impact

Cost of living adjustments reduce effective purchasing power by approximately 33% compared to national averages. When evaluating opportunities in Boston, MA, factor in higher expenses for housing and daily necessities.

Career Outlook

The Pharmacy Technician profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 115% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 45% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

+21%

vs National Avg

+22%

vs State Avg

115%

Salary Range

535

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Pharmacy Technician salary growth in Boston, MA based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$32,862

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$39,241

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$48,703

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$58,846

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$70,652

/year

Next Career Steps

Common career progressions from Pharmacy Technician:

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Boston, MA

Where Pharmacy Technicians Work

Pharmacy Technicians work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

Employment in this occupation is more limited in Boston, MA compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Boston, MA

  • Research major employers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Massachusetts
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Boston, MA market rate of $48,703
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $32,862 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median pharmacy technician salary in Boston, MA is $48,703 per year ($23.41/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $32,862 for entry-level positions to $70,652 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level pharmacy technicians in Boston, MA typically start at around $32,862 per year ($15.80/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $48,703 within 3-5 years.

Pharmacy Technicians in Boston, MA earn a median hourly wage of $23.41 per hour. Hourly rates range from $15.80/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $33.97/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $32,862 and $70,652.

The median pharmacy technician salary of $48,703 in Boston, MA is significantly above the national median of $40,300 (20.9% higher). However, the cost of living is 48% above the national average, which affects purchasing power. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of pharmacy technicians in the area earn more and half earn less.

Pharmacy Technicians in Boston, MA earn significantly above the national average. The local median salary of $48,703 is 20.9% higher than the national median of $40,300. However, the cost of living is 48% above the national average, which affects purchasing power. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $32,819.

The top 10% of pharmacy technicians in Boston, MA earn $70,652 or more per year ($33.97/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $58,846, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost pharmacy technician salary in Boston, MA include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $48,703, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($58,846) or higher. Years of relevant experience

Boston, MA has a moderate job market for pharmacy technicians, with approximately 535 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $48,703 is significantly above the national average. However, the cost of living is 48% above the national average, which affects purchasing power. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your pharmacy technician salary to these Boston, MA benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $32,862, 25th percentile: $39,241, 50th percentile (median): $48,703, 75th percentile: $58,846, 90th percentile (top earners): $70,652. If you earn more than $48,703, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $48,703 median base salary, pharmacy technicians in Boston, MA typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced pharmacy technicians with 5-10 years in Boston, MA typically earn $58,846 (75th percentile) to $70,652 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $70,652. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $48,703.

Pharmacy Technicians in Boston, MA can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($32,862) to median ($48,703) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($70,652) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $37,790 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Boston-Cambridge-Newton

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

29-2052

SOC Classification

Sample Size

535

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Pharmacy Technician in Boston, MA

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Median: $48,703/yr

How Boston, MA Compares

vs National Average

$40,300

+20.9%

vs Massachusetts Average

$40,094

+21.5%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$32,819

-32.6%

Cost of living in Boston, MA is 48.4% above the national average.

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