Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Missoula, MT: $24.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Missoula, MT runs $24.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,212 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Missoula's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,726 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Missoula, Montana, the pharmacy technician hourly pay is projected to reach $24.62 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $23.19. This competitive rate enhances the appeal for part-time roles, which often attract those seeking three-day workweeks or per-diem opportunities. Operating in various settings—from retail pharmacy counters to hospital sterile compounding rooms—pharmacy technicians can find job flexibility that meets personal needs. The hourly pay range in Missoula stretches from $19.13 at the lower end to $31.21 for the most experienced professionals, reflecting an encouraging start for new entrants and significant earning potential for seasoned specialists.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.13 | $153.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.20 | $185.57 |
| Median (P50) | $24.62 | $196.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.40 | $203.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.21 | $249.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Missoula
Based on $24.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.62/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Missoula, MT can expect to earn approximately $51,210 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,544. With a cost-of-living index of 96.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Missoula.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Missoula
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $984.81 | $4,268 | $51,210 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $590.89 | $2,561 | $30,726 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $393.92 | $1,707 | $20,484 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Missoula) | $24.62 |
| 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 Missoula, MT earn a median of $51,212 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.10% below the Montana state average of $51,782.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.62/hr = $30,726/year (purchasing power: $31,859).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,210/year (purchasing power: $53,098).
CoL index: 96.445 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+62.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Missoula grew 46.0% from $15.99/hr (2019) to $23.35/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.96/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 Missoula 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 Missoula
Considering the dynamics of part-time work, a pharmacy technician in Missoula working three days a week, equating to about 24 hours, can expect an annual take-home of approximately $30,000 compared to a full-time equivalent. Per-diem pharmacy technician pay often ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with those involved in sterile compounding roles frequently billed between $25 and $40. Hospitals may even offer lucrative travel contracts, providing up to $1,800 weekly for techs in high-demand areas. The variety of employer types—ranging from retail chains like CVS to specialized pharmacies—also influences hourly rates. Many pharmacy technicians weigh the benefits of health insurance against slightly lower hourly wages, along with crafting negotiation strategies that reflect the cost of living in Missoula, where the index sits at 96.445, making employment conditions even more relevant to working professionals.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Missoula 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 Missoula. 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