Pharmacy Technician Salary in Gaithersburg, MD: $53,110 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Gaithersburg, MD earns a median $53,110/year (≈ $25.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Gaithersburg's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $48,591 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a pharmacy technician in Gaithersburg, Maryland, can expect a median annual salary of $53,110, reflecting a 10.10% increase compared to the national median of $48,239. The projected salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $41,369 and experienced technicians earning up to $68,689. These figures represent local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. The growth potential for pharmacy technician roles in Gaithersburg is promising as the job market is bolstered by the increasing demand for certified pharmacy technicians, particularly those with specialized credentials like CSPT, which can command a premium in wages due to compliance requirements for sterile compounding.
About the Gaithersburg Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,369 | $19.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,207 | $20.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,110 | $25.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,289 | $28.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,689 | $33.02 |
Median Salary Position
10.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gaithersburg
In Gaithersburg, MD, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,320 (2026 est.). At $53,110, the local median is 10.1% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gaithersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gaithersburg Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Gaithersburg median: $53,110/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gaithersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $52,741 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +10.10% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Gaithersburg, MD earn a median of $53,110 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.70% above the Maryland state average of $52,741.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gaithersburg has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gaithersburg, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,110 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,591 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,378
2025 BLS Actual
$50,370
2026 Current Est.
$53,110
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Gaithersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,378 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,645 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,606 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,241 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,110 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,999 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gaithersburg metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $37,378 (2019) to $50,370 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,999 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,621 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gaithersburg 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,369 – $43,207 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,207 – $53,110 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,110 – $58,289 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,289 – $68,689 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Gaithersburg
The local job market for pharmacy technicians is relatively small, with only 14 individuals currently employed in Gaithersburg. While the city's cost of living index stands at 109.3 — indicating a moderate financial climate compared to the national average — this impacts the purchasing power of pharmacy technicians in the area. Major employers like CVS and Walgreens generally provide competitive wages in the retail pharmacy sector, but hospital settings and specialty pharmacies, such as OptumRx, typically offer higher compensation due to the increased complexity of tasks and a demand for roles that meet USP <797> / <800> standards. To maximize earning potential, pharmacy technicians should seek employment in settings that require specialized certifications, take advantage of shift differentials, and consider pursuing advanced training in sterile compounding to stand out in the Gaithersburg job market.
More salary data for Gaithersburg, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,370 for pharmacy techniciansin the Gaithersburg metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gaithersburg 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