Pharmacy Tech Pay

Derry vs Manchester: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Derry, NH and Manchester, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Derry, NH
$49,679
$23.88/hr
Manchester, NH
$50,158
$24.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDerry, NHManchester, NH
Median Salary$49,679$50,158
Hourly Rate$23.88$24.11
Entry Level (P10)$41,696$39,055
25th Percentile$42,530$39,477
75th Percentile$54,916$53,985
Top Earner (P90)$66,325$64,666
Total Employed7650
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Derry ($49,679) and Manchester ($50,158) pharmacy technician salaries.DerryManchesterMedian Salary$49,679$50,158Entry Level (P10)$41,696$39,055Top Earner (P90)$66,325$64,666US Median $48,239

Verdict

Manchester, NH offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Derry.

The salary gap between Derry and Manchester is $479 (0.96%). Manchester's median is +3.98% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Derry spans $24,629,Manchester spans $25,611. Manchester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Derry
P10 (Entry)$41,696
P25$42,530
Median$49,679
P75$54,916
P90 (Top)$66,325
Manchester
P10 (Entry)$39,055
P25$39,477
Median$50,158
P75$53,985
P90 (Top)$64,666

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Manchester ($47,472 effective) pays 2.53% more than Derry ($46,299 effective).

Derry
Nominal: $49,679
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $46,299
Manchester
Nominal: $50,158
CoL Index: 105.657
Adjusted: $47,472

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Derry if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($66,325)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Manchester if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,158/year)
  • Larger job market (650 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,472)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Derry grew 4.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 56.3% growth in Manchester over the same period.

Derry, NH

+4.0%

$45,314 (2024) → $47,116 (2025)

Manchester, NH

+56.3%

$30,430 (2019) → $47,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Derry or Manchester?

Manchester has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $50,158/year, compared to Derry at $49,679/year — a difference of $479 (0.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Derry and Manchester?

Derry pharmacy technicians earn $23.88/hr while Manchester hygienists earn $24.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Derry to Manchester as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Derry and Manchester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Derry = $46,299, Manchester = $47,472), job availability (7 vs 650 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Derry vs Manchester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $41,696 in Derry and $39,055 in Manchester. The Derry area offers higher starting salaries.
ET

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