Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Northampton, MA: $22.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Northampton, MA runs $22.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,903 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Northampton's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $20.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,147 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Northampton, Massachusetts, pharmacy technicians can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $22.55, which is slightly below the national median of $23.19. This rate reflects the competitive nature of pharmacy technician hourly pay in MA, influenced by the diverse settings in which these professionals operate, including retail pharmacies, hospital IV clean rooms, and specialty compounding areas. With an hourly range stretching from $18.73 at the lower end to $29.19 for experienced technicians, there are opportunities for part-time roles, which typically involve working three days a week. This flexibility can be appealing for those seeking work-life balance, as it allows for manageable weekly commitments in environments such as pharmacy automation areas or mail-order fulfillment lines.
About the Northampton Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.73 | $149.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.16 | $153.27 |
| Median (P50) | $22.55 | $180.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.37 | $194.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.19 | $233.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Northampton
Based on $22.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.55/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Northampton, MA can expect to earn approximately $46,912 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,064. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Northampton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Northampton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $902.14 | $3,909 | $46,912 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $541.29 | $2,346 | $28,147 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $360.86 | $1,564 | $18,765 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Northampton) | $22.55 |
| 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 Northampton, MA earn a median of $46,903 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.77% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 4.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $48,959.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.55/hr = $28,147/year (purchasing power: $25,942).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,912/year (purchasing power: $43,236).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$15.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Northampton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Northampton grew 34.8% from $15.87/hr (2019) to $21.39/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.78/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 Northampton 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 Northampton
When considering part-time positions, working 24 hours a week as a pharmacy technician results in an annual income of approximately $28,708, significantly lower than what a full-time employee may earn. Many pharmacy technicians opt for per-diem roles, which often pay between $20 and $32 per hour, depending on the work environment. Specialized positions, particularly those in hospital sterile compounding, may yield even higher rates, ranging from $25 to $40 per hour. This shift in focus can create variability in pay depending on the employer type; for instance, retail chains like CVS or Walgreens might offer lower hourly rates compared to hospitals or specialty pharmacies that require advanced certification, such as PTCB standards compliant with USP <797>/<800>. It's common for professionals to weigh the trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits and lower hourly rates that include health insurance. Employing practical negotiation strategies, such as highlighting certifications like the CSPT credential, can help technicians secure competitive rates while navigating the dynamic employment environment in Northampton.
More salary data for Northampton, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Northampton in 2026?
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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.
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 Northampton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Northampton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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