Pharmacy Tech Pay

Medford vs Worcester: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Medford, MA
$48,396
$23.27/hr
Worcester, MA
$48,513
$23.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMedford, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$48,396$48,513
Hourly Rate$23.27$23.32
Entry Level (P10)$40,021$39,772
25th Percentile$41,152$41,079
75th Percentile$51,955$62,526
Top Earner (P90)$65,557$73,755
Total Employed111,160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Medford ($48,396) and Worcester ($48,513) pharmacy technician salaries.MedfordWorcesterMedian Salary$48,396$48,513Entry Level (P10)$40,021$39,772Top Earner (P90)$65,557$73,755US Median $48,239

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Medford and Worcester is $117 (0.24%). Worcester's median is +0.57% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Medford spans $25,536,Worcester spans $33,983. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Medford
P10 (Entry)$40,021
P25$41,152
Median$48,396
P75$51,955
P90 (Top)$65,557
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$39,772
P25$41,079
Median$48,513
P75$62,526
P90 (Top)$73,755

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($47,319 effective) pays 6.09% more than Medford ($44,605 effective).

Medford
Nominal: $48,396
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $44,605
Worcester
Nominal: $48,513
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $47,319

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Medford if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,513/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($73,755)
  • Larger job market (1,160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,319)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Medford grew -10.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 45.3% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Medford, MA

+-10.8%

$51,462 (2024) → $45,899 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+45.3%

$31,670 (2019) → $46,010 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Medford or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,513/year, compared to Medford at $48,396/year — a difference of $117 (0.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Medford and Worcester?

Medford pharmacy technicians earn $23.27/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $23.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Medford to Worcester as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Medford and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Medford = $44,605, Worcester = $47,319), job availability (11 vs 1,160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Medford vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $40,021 in Medford and $39,772 in Worcester. The Medford 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