Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Portland, ME: $23.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Portland, ME runs $23.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,167 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.9, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,502 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacy technician hourly pay in Portland, Maine, sees a projected median rate of $23.64, which is slightly above the national median of $23.19. This competitive wage supports both full-time and part-time technicians, particularly those working three days a week or in per-diem positions, which are common in various settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV clean rooms, and specialty compounding pharmacies. Entry-level pharmacy technicians may earn as little as $19.25 per hour, while top earners in the field can make up to $30.01 per hour. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlights the diverse opportunities within the profession, encouraging prospective technicians to explore various work environments tailored to their employment preferences.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.25 | $154.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.30 | $170.39 |
| Median (P50) | $23.64 | $189.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.00 | $200.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.01 | $240.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $23.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.64/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $49,170 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,368. With a cost-of-living index of 101.86 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $945.59 | $4,098 | $49,170 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $567.35 | $2,459 | $29,502 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $378.23 | $1,639 | $19,668 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Portland) | $23.64 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Portland, ME earn a median of $49,167 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.92% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.30% above the Maine state average of $48,061.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.64/hr = $29,502/year (purchasing power: $28,964).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,170/year (purchasing power: $48,274).
CoL index: 101.858 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$15.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Portland grew 42.7% from $15.71/hr (2019) to $22.42/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.93/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Portland
When considering part-time work, a pharmacy technician in Portland who engages in a 24-hour weekly schedule can expect to take home approximately $49,167 annually, which is significantly lower than full-time earnings but can provide flexibility. Per-diem pharmacy technicians commonly charge between $20-$32 per hour, with specialized roles, such as those in sterile compounding, offering rates that range from $25-$40 per hour. Contract positions often provide lucrative opportunities, with hospital sterile compounding roles in high-demand markets offering weekly payments between $1,200 and $1,800. Hourly rates can vary considerably depending on the employer type, as retail chains may offer lower wages compared to specialized or inpatient pharmacies. Technicians might find themselves weighing the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance. Negotiation can be key; interacting with employers about wage expectations, especially for those aware of the recent wage increases in pharmacy roles post-2020, can lead to favorable compensation packages.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Portland in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Portland?
Are pharmacy technicians in Portland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Portland?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Portland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maine
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Portland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov