Pharmacy Tech Pay

New Haven vs Shelton: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between New Haven, CT and Shelton, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$51,486
$24.76/hr
Shelton, CT
$49,645
$23.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTShelton, CT
Median Salary$51,486$49,645
Hourly Rate$24.76$23.87
Entry Level (P10)$39,224$40,128
25th Percentile$40,953$41,202
75th Percentile$63,348$53,777
Top Earner (P90)$67,988$62,713
Total Employed1,08010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($51,486) and Shelton ($49,645) pharmacy technician salaries.New HavenSheltonMedian Salary$51,486$49,645Entry Level (P10)$39,224$40,128Top Earner (P90)$67,988$62,713US Median $48,239

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shelton.

The salary gap between New Haven and Shelton is $1,841 (3.71%). New Haven's median is +6.73% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $28,764,Shelton spans $22,585. New Haven has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$39,224
P25$40,953
Median$51,486
P75$63,348
P90 (Top)$67,988
Shelton
P10 (Entry)$40,128
P25$41,202
Median$49,645
P75$53,777
P90 (Top)$62,713

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($49,241 effective) pays 7.02% more than Shelton ($46,010 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $51,486
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $49,241
Shelton
Nominal: $49,645
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $46,010

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,486/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,988)
  • Larger job market (1,080 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,241)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Shelton if…

  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in New Haven grew 38.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.2% growth in Shelton over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+38.9%

$35,160 (2019) → $48,830 (2025)

Shelton, CT

+0.2%

$47,004 (2024) → $47,084 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: New Haven or Shelton?

New Haven has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $51,486/year, compared to Shelton at $49,645/year — a difference of $1,841 (3.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and Shelton?

New Haven pharmacy technicians earn $24.76/hr while Shelton hygienists earn $23.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to Shelton as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Shelton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $49,241, Shelton = $46,010), job availability (1,080 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in New Haven vs Shelton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $39,224 in New Haven and $40,128 in Shelton. The Shelton 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