Pharmacy Tech Pay

Cambridge vs Springfield: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cambridge, MA
$48,260
$23.20/hr
Springfield, MA
$47,174
$22.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCambridge, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$48,260$47,174
Hourly Rate$23.20$22.68
Entry Level (P10)$36,128$39,435
25th Percentile$38,324$40,194
75th Percentile$52,857$54,291
Top Earner (P90)$64,641$61,935
Total Employed22660
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cambridge ($48,260) and Springfield ($47,174) pharmacy technician salaries.CambridgeSpringfieldMedian Salary$48,260$47,174Entry Level (P10)$36,128$39,435Top Earner (P90)$64,641$61,935US Median $48,239

Verdict

Cambridge, MA offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Springfield.

The salary gap between Cambridge and Springfield is $1,086 (2.30%). Cambridge's median is +0.04% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cambridge spans $28,513,Springfield spans $22,500. Cambridge has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cambridge
P10 (Entry)$36,128
P25$38,324
Median$48,260
P75$52,857
P90 (Top)$64,641
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$39,435
P25$40,194
Median$47,174
P75$54,291
P90 (Top)$61,935

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($49,108 effective) pays 10.41% more than Cambridge ($44,479 effective).

Cambridge
Nominal: $48,260
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $44,479
Springfield
Nominal: $47,174
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $49,108

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cambridge if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,260/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,641)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (660 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,108)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Cambridge grew -10.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.5% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Cambridge, MA

+-10.9%

$51,345 (2024) → $45,770 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+26.5%

$35,360 (2019) → $44,740 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Cambridge or Springfield?

Cambridge has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,260/year, compared to Springfield at $47,174/year — a difference of $1,086 (2.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cambridge and Springfield?

Cambridge pharmacy technicians earn $23.20/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $22.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cambridge to Springfield as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cambridge and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cambridge = $44,479, Springfield = $49,108), job availability (22 vs 660 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Cambridge vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $36,128 in Cambridge and $39,435 in Springfield. The Springfield 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