Pharmacy Tech Pay

Gulfport vs Ridgeland: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Gulfport, MS and Ridgeland, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gulfport, MS
$41,986
$20.18/hr
Ridgeland, MS
$39,692
$19.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGulfport, MSRidgeland, MS
Median Salary$41,986$39,692
Hourly Rate$20.18$19.08
Entry Level (P10)$37,927$33,112
25th Percentile$39,171$35,059
75th Percentile$49,852$41,541
Top Earner (P90)$57,792$48,541
Total Employed5405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gulfport ($41,986) and Ridgeland ($39,692) pharmacy technician salaries.GulfportRidgelandMedian Salary$41,986$39,692Entry Level (P10)$37,927$33,112Top Earner (P90)$57,792$48,541US Median $48,239

Verdict

Gulfport, MS offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Ridgeland.

The salary gap between Gulfport and Ridgeland is $2,294 (5.78%). Gulfport's median is -12.96% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gulfport spans $19,865,Ridgeland spans $15,429. Gulfport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gulfport
P10 (Entry)$37,927
P25$39,171
Median$41,986
P75$49,852
P90 (Top)$57,792
Ridgeland
P10 (Entry)$33,112
P25$35,059
Median$39,692
P75$41,541
P90 (Top)$48,541

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gulfport ($46,648 effective) pays 0.72% more than Ridgeland ($46,315 effective).

Gulfport
Nominal: $41,986
CoL Index: 90.006
Adjusted: $46,648
Ridgeland
Nominal: $39,692
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $46,315

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gulfport if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,986/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($57,792)
  • Larger job market (540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,648)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Ridgeland if…

  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Gulfport grew 20.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 43.0% growth in Ridgeland over the same period.

Gulfport, MS

+20.1%

$33,150 (2019) → $39,820 (2025)

Ridgeland, MS

+43.0%

$26,330 (2024) → $37,644 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Gulfport or Ridgeland?

Gulfport has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $41,986/year, compared to Ridgeland at $39,692/year — a difference of $2,294 (5.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gulfport and Ridgeland?

Gulfport pharmacy technicians earn $20.18/hr while Ridgeland hygienists earn $19.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gulfport to Ridgeland as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gulfport and Ridgeland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gulfport = $46,648, Ridgeland = $46,315), job availability (540 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Gulfport vs Ridgeland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $37,927 in Gulfport and $33,112 in Ridgeland. The Gulfport area offers higher starting salaries.
ET

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