Pharmacy Technician Salary in Rockville, MD: $51,402 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Rockville, MD earns a median $51,402/year (≈ $24.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Rockville's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $47,028 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For pharmacy technicians in Rockville, MD, the 2026 median annual salary stands at $51,402, reflecting a competitive pay environment compared to the national median of $48,239. The salary range spans from $41,460 at the 10th percentile to $68,257 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential based on experience and work setting. Estimates for these figures are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for state-level nuances and local cost of living. Notably, pharmacy technicians engaged in hospital sterile compounding roles generally command higher salaries than their counterparts in retail settings, which has become increasingly significant as the market adjusts to heightened demand.
About the Rockville Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,460 | $19.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,402 | $24.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,356 | $27.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,257 | $32.81 |
Median Salary Position
6.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockville
In Rockville, MD, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,797 (2026 est.). At $51,402, the local median is 6.56% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockville Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Rockville median: $51,402/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $52,720 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +6.56% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Rockville, MD earn a median of $51,402 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.50% below the Maryland state average of $52,720.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockville has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockville, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,402 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,028 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,176
2025 BLS Actual
$48,750
2026 Current Est.
$51,402
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Rockville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,176 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,402 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,149 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,268 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,943 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,754 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,402 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,198 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockville metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $36,176 (2019) to $48,750 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,198 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,022 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockville 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) | $41,460 – $42,290 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,290 – $51,402 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,402 – $56,356 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,356 – $68,257 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Rockville
With 15 pharmacy technicians employed in Rockville, the job market shows stability, although the cost of living index sits at 109.3, suggesting that take-home pay is impacted by higher local expenses. Among employers, hospital pharmacies often provide the most lucrative opportunities, especially for technicians with specialized credentials such as CSPT, given their skills in compliance with USP <797> and <800> standards. Factors affecting the salary spread include shift differentials for night and weekend work, which are common in both retail and hospital settings, and the overall differences between chain and hospital wage scales. To enhance income potential in Rockville, technicians should consider pursuing additional certifications, actively seeking night shift opportunities, and exploring roles in settings that prioritize sterile compounding, effectively positioning themselves for the higher end of the pay spectrum.
More salary data for Rockville, 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 $48,750 for pharmacy techniciansin the Rockville 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 Rockville 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