Pharmacy Technician Salary in Rochester, NY: $43,167 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Rochester, NY earns a median $43,167/year (≈ $20.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $44,486 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacy technician salary in Rochester, NY is projected to reach a median annual figure of $43,167, reflecting the local industry's competitiveness and the additional financial incentives that many employers offer, such as shift differentials and overnight premiums. The salary range for this role extends from $39,814 at the lowest decile to $52,994 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of compensation based on various factors including experience, certifications, and work setting. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights how pharmacy technician pay in Rochester trends below the national average, and the local job market indicates a gradual growth rate of 5.44% annually over the next five years, contributing to a steady demand for skilled professionals in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,814 | $19.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,826 | $19.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,167 | $20.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,061 | $23.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,994 | $25.48 |
Median Salary Position
10.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,180 (2026 est.). At $43,167, the local median is 10.51% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Rochester median: $43,167/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $43,691 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -10.51% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Rochester, NY earn a median of $43,167 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.51% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.20% below the New York state average of $43,691.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $43,167 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,486 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,030
2025 BLS Actual
$40,940
2026 Current Est.
$43,167
2019–2027 Growth
+46.7%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,167 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,515 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 31.9% from $31,030 (2019) to $40,940 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,515 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,485 (46.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $39,814 – $40,826 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,826 – $43,167 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,167 – $49,061 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,061 – $52,994 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Rochester
Rochester's job market for pharmacy technicians shows resilience, with 1,830 individuals currently employed in the field, providing a solid base for future opportunities. Notably, local pharmacy technician pay can vary significantly depending on the employer; hospitals and specialized pharmacies like CVS Specialty and Omnicare often offer higher wages compared to retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. Given the cost of living index in Rochester stands at 97.035, all professionals in this field need to consider how these salaries translate to actual purchasing power. The variance in compensation is influenced not just by the work environment—hospital positions focusing on sterile compounding (following USP <797>/<800> compliance) typically commanding the highest wages—but also by factors such as CSPT certification, shift differentials, and potential lead pay. For pharmacy technicians looking to maximize their earnings in Rochester, pursuing these specialty certifications and seeking roles in high-paying settings can be strategic moves to enhance their career and salary trajectory.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
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 $40,940 for pharmacy techniciansin the Rochester 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
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