Pharmacy Tech Pay

Baton Rouge vs Houma: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Baton Rouge, LA and Houma, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baton Rouge, LA
$48,028
$23.09/hr
Houma, LA
$47,079
$22.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaton Rouge, LAHouma, LA
Median Salary$48,028$47,079
Hourly Rate$23.09$22.64
Entry Level (P10)$38,243$35,734
25th Percentile$39,719$39,371
75th Percentile$51,645$49,188
Top Earner (P90)$58,150$52,425
Total Employed1,160260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baton Rouge ($48,028) and Houma ($47,079) pharmacy technician salaries.Baton RougeHoumaMedian Salary$48,028$47,079Entry Level (P10)$38,243$35,734Top Earner (P90)$58,150$52,425US Median $48,239

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Houma.

The salary gap between Baton Rouge and Houma is $949 (2.02%). Baton Rouge's median is -0.44% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baton Rouge spans $19,907,Houma spans $16,691. Baton Rouge has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$38,243
P25$39,719
Median$48,028
P75$51,645
P90 (Top)$58,150
Houma
P10 (Entry)$35,734
P25$39,371
Median$47,079
P75$49,188
P90 (Top)$52,425

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houma ($55,320 effective) pays 4.56% more than Baton Rouge ($52,906 effective).

Baton Rouge
Nominal: $48,028
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $52,906
Houma
Nominal: $47,079
CoL Index: 85.103
Adjusted: $55,320

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,028/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,150)
  • Larger job market (1,160 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Houma if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,320)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Baton Rouge grew 34.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 48.3% growth in Houma over the same period.

Baton Rouge, LA

+34.1%

$33,970 (2019) → $45,550 (2025)

Houma, LA

+48.3%

$30,100 (2019) → $44,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Baton Rouge or Houma?

Baton Rouge has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,028/year, compared to Houma at $47,079/year — a difference of $949 (2.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baton Rouge and Houma?

Baton Rouge pharmacy technicians earn $23.09/hr while Houma hygienists earn $22.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baton Rouge to Houma as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baton Rouge and Houma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baton Rouge = $52,906, Houma = $55,320), job availability (1,160 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Baton Rouge vs Houma?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $38,243 in Baton Rouge and $35,734 in Houma. The Baton Rouge area offers higher starting salaries.
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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov