Pharmacy Tech Pay

Boise vs Idaho Falls: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Boise, ID and Idaho Falls, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise, ID
$50,395
$24.23/hr
Idaho Falls, ID
$48,102
$23.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise, IDIdaho Falls, ID
Median Salary$50,395$48,102
Hourly Rate$24.23$23.12
Entry Level (P10)$36,482$31,463
25th Percentile$39,354$40,014
75th Percentile$55,927$50,284
Top Earner (P90)$69,156$59,964
Total Employed60300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise ($50,395) and Idaho Falls ($48,102) pharmacy technician salaries.BoiseIdaho FallsMedian Salary$50,395$48,102Entry Level (P10)$36,482$31,463Top Earner (P90)$69,156$59,964US Median $48,239

Verdict

Boise, ID offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Idaho Falls.

The salary gap between Boise and Idaho Falls is $2,293 (4.77%). Boise's median is +4.47% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise spans $32,674,Idaho Falls spans $28,501. Boise has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boise
P10 (Entry)$36,482
P25$39,354
Median$50,395
P75$55,927
P90 (Top)$69,156
Idaho Falls
P10 (Entry)$31,463
P25$40,014
Median$48,102
P75$50,284
P90 (Top)$59,964

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise ($52,880 effective) pays 3.79% more than Idaho Falls ($50,949 effective).

Boise
Nominal: $50,395
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $52,880
Idaho Falls
Nominal: $48,102
CoL Index: 94.412
Adjusted: $50,949

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,395/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($69,156)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,880)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Idaho Falls if…

  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Boise grew 21.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.5% growth in Idaho Falls over the same period.

Boise, ID

+21.0%

$39,513 (2024) → $47,795 (2025)

Idaho Falls, ID

+27.5%

$35,770 (2019) → $45,620 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Boise or Idaho Falls?

Boise has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $50,395/year, compared to Idaho Falls at $48,102/year — a difference of $2,293 (4.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise and Idaho Falls?

Boise pharmacy technicians earn $24.23/hr while Idaho Falls hygienists earn $23.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise to Idaho Falls as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise and Idaho Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise = $52,880, Idaho Falls = $50,949), job availability (60 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Boise vs Idaho Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $36,482 in Boise and $31,463 in Idaho Falls. The Boise 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