Pharmacy Tech Pay

Boston vs Pittsfield: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Boston, MA and Pittsfield, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$49,441
$23.78/hr
Pittsfield, MA
$49,472
$23.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAPittsfield, MA
Median Salary$49,441$49,472
Hourly Rate$23.78$23.79
Entry Level (P10)$40,552$39,245
25th Percentile$41,765$40,879
75th Percentile$65,025$53,943
Top Earner (P90)$79,280$63,833
Total Employed7,370150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($49,441) and Pittsfield ($49,472) pharmacy technician salaries.BostonPittsfieldMedian Salary$49,441$49,472Entry Level (P10)$40,552$39,245Top Earner (P90)$79,280$63,833US Median $48,239

Verdict

Boston and Pittsfield are closely matched on overall pharmacy technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Boston and Pittsfield is $31 (0.06%). Pittsfield's median is +2.56% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $38,728,Pittsfield spans $24,588. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$40,552
P25$41,765
Median$49,441
P75$65,025
P90 (Top)$79,280
Pittsfield
P10 (Entry)$39,245
P25$40,879
Median$49,472
P75$53,943
P90 (Top)$63,833

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pittsfield ($52,018 effective) pays 13.91% more than Boston ($45,666 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $49,441
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $45,666
Pittsfield
Nominal: $49,472
CoL Index: 95.106
Adjusted: $52,018

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($79,280)
  • Larger job market (7,370 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Pittsfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,472/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,018)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Boston grew 30.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.7% growth in Pittsfield over the same period.

Boston, MA

+30.0%

$36,060 (2019) → $46,890 (2025)

Pittsfield, MA

+26.7%

$37,020 (2019) → $46,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Boston or Pittsfield?

Pittsfield has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $49,472/year, compared to Boston at $49,441/year — a difference of $31 (0.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Pittsfield?

Boston pharmacy technicians earn $23.78/hr while Pittsfield hygienists earn $23.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Pittsfield as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Pittsfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $45,666, Pittsfield = $52,018), job availability (7,370 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Boston vs Pittsfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $40,552 in Boston and $39,245 in Pittsfield. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov