Pharmacy Tech Pay

Boston vs Wellesley: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Boston, MA and Wellesley, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$49,441
$23.78/hr
Wellesley, MA
$46,529
$22.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAWellesley, MA
Median Salary$49,441$46,529
Hourly Rate$23.78$22.37
Entry Level (P10)$40,552$38,279
25th Percentile$41,765$39,110
75th Percentile$65,025$50,950
Top Earner (P90)$79,280$61,094
Total Employed7,3706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($49,441) and Wellesley ($46,529) pharmacy technician salaries.BostonWellesleyMedian Salary$49,441$46,529Entry Level (P10)$40,552$38,279Top Earner (P90)$79,280$61,094US Median $48,239

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wellesley.

The salary gap between Boston and Wellesley is $2,912 (6.26%). Boston's median is +2.49% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $38,728,Wellesley spans $22,815. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$40,552
P25$41,765
Median$49,441
P75$65,025
P90 (Top)$79,280
Wellesley
P10 (Entry)$38,279
P25$39,110
Median$46,529
P75$50,950
P90 (Top)$61,094

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($45,666 effective) pays 6.49% more than Wellesley ($42,884 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $49,441
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $45,666
Wellesley
Nominal: $46,529
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $42,884

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,441/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,280)
  • Larger job market (7,370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,666)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Wellesley if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Boston grew 30.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.8% growth in Wellesley over the same period.

Boston, MA

+30.0%

$36,060 (2019) → $46,890 (2025)

Wellesley, MA

+-10.8%

$49,477 (2024) → $44,128 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Boston or Wellesley?

Boston has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $49,441/year, compared to Wellesley at $46,529/year — a difference of $2,912 (6.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Wellesley?

Boston pharmacy technicians earn $23.78/hr while Wellesley hygienists earn $22.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Wellesley as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Wellesley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $45,666, Wellesley = $42,884), job availability (7,370 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Boston vs Wellesley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $40,552 in Boston and $38,279 in Wellesley. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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