Pharmacy Technician Salary in Laurel, MD: $50,086 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Laurel, MD earns a median $50,086/year (≈ $24.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $45,824 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Laurel, Maryland, can anticipate a median annual salary of $50,086 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $48,239. With a salary range extending from $41,199 at the lower end (P10) to $65,758 at the upper end (P90), this market presents diverse earnings potential shaped by factors such as experience and credentials. Notably, those with the CSPT or sterile compounding certifications may command higher wages, reflecting the increased responsibility and specialized knowledge required in these roles. These salary estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parities, and highlight the competitive nature of pharmacy technician pay in Laurel's growing job market.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,199 | $19.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,095 | $20.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,086 | $24.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,840 | $26.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,758 | $31.61 |
Median Salary Position
3.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MD, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,559 (2026 est.). At $50,086, the local median is 3.83% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Laurel median: $50,086/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $52,722 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +3.83% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Laurel, MD earn a median of $50,086 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 5.00% below the Maryland state average of $52,722.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,086 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,824 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,250
2025 BLS Actual
$47,502
2026 Current Est.
$50,086
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,444 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,147 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,237 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,843 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,608 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,502 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,086 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,811 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $35,250 (2019) to $47,502 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,811 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,561 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $41,199 – $42,095 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,095 – $50,086 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,086 – $54,840 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,840 – $65,758 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Laurel
As of 2026, only six pharmacy technicians are employed in Laurel, indicating a potentially tight local job market yet also creating opportunities for growth driven by recent healthcare demands. The cost of living index at 109.3 suggests that while salaries are relatively competitive, purchasing power may be impacted, necessitating careful consideration for those entering the field. Retail pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, along with hospital inpatient pharmacies, often lead in wage offerings, particularly for roles requiring the CSPT certification. The disparity in pay is often influenced by the setting—hospital roles typically pay more than retail—alongside factors like shift differentials and the need for increased compliance in sterile compounding environments. To maximize pay in Laurel, aspiring pharmacy technicians should focus on obtaining relevant certifications, seeking positions in higher-paying settings, and considering the benefits associated with overnight or specialized shifts.
More salary data for Laurel, 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 $47,502 for pharmacy techniciansin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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