Pharmacy Tech Pay

Columbus vs Mason: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Columbus, OH and Mason, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, OH
$47,701
$22.93/hr
Mason, OH
$41,244
$19.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHMason, OH
Median Salary$47,701$41,244
Hourly Rate$22.93$19.83
Entry Level (P10)$38,064$34,121
25th Percentile$39,171$34,938
75th Percentile$51,771$44,472
Top Earner (P90)$65,120$53,227
Total Employed3,4807
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($47,701) and Mason ($41,244) pharmacy technician salaries.ColumbusMasonMedian Salary$47,701$41,244Entry Level (P10)$38,064$34,121Top Earner (P90)$65,120$53,227US Median $48,239

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mason.

The salary gap between Columbus and Mason is $6,457 (15.66%). Columbus's median is -1.12% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $27,056,Mason spans $19,106. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$38,064
P25$39,171
Median$47,701
P75$51,771
P90 (Top)$65,120
Mason
P10 (Entry)$34,121
P25$34,938
Median$41,244
P75$44,472
P90 (Top)$53,227

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($49,965 effective) pays 9.88% more than Mason ($45,473 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $47,701
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $49,965
Mason
Nominal: $41,244
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $45,473

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,701/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,120)
  • Larger job market (3,480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,965)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Mason if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Columbus grew 46.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.8% growth in Mason over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+46.9%

$30,790 (2019) → $45,240 (2025)

Mason, OH

+18.8%

$32,923 (2024) → $39,116 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Columbus or Mason?

Columbus has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $47,701/year, compared to Mason at $41,244/year — a difference of $6,457 (15.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Mason?

Columbus pharmacy technicians earn $22.93/hr while Mason hygienists earn $19.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Mason as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Mason. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $49,965, Mason = $45,473), job availability (3,480 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Columbus vs Mason?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $38,064 in Columbus and $34,121 in Mason. The Columbus 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