Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Salary in Stoughton, MA: $39,146 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacy technicians entering the Stoughton, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,146 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Stoughton's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $36,079 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($46,883) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the pharmacy technician field in Stoughton, Massachusetts, the starting pharmacy technician salary Stoughton offers can be quite competitive, albeit with some understanding of the local job market. In 2026, new graduates can expect to begin their careers with salaries around $39,146, which is lower than the city's median salary of $46,883. This initial pay may seem modest, but it serves as a stepping stone as technicians gain experience and develop skills. Over the first few years, salary growth can lead to earnings in the range of $39,928 to the median figure, reflecting the profession's ongoing demand and growth rate of 5.44% annually. Given the notable entry-level wage and the prospects for upward mobility, Stoughton can indeed be a promising place for new pharmacy technicians looking to start their careers.
About the Stoughton Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Stoughton
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stoughton
Entry-level pharmacy technicians in Stoughton, MA typically start between $39,146 and $39,928 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $21,430 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $46,883 — 2.81% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Massachusetts of $12,000 represents just 30.65% of the starting pharmacy technician pay ($39,146/year) in Stoughton. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ASHP/ACPE-accredited pharmacy technician program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution (community college vs. private vocational school) and program length.
CPhT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Stoughton
- 1Research the Stoughton market: entry-level pharmacy technician pay ranges from $39,146 to $39,928, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the pharmacy field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Stoughton, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Stoughton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Stoughton's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Pharmacy Technician Compensation Range
The pharmacy technician wage spread in Stoughton is $21,430 ( 54.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,146, experienced hygienists can earn up to $60,576.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$24,861
2025 BLS Actual
$37,126
2026 Current Est.
$39,146
2019–2027 Growth
+66.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Stoughton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,861 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,622 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,725 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,126 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,146 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,275 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacy technician compensation (10th percentile) in Stoughton, MA grew 49.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $24,861 in 2019 to $37,126 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,275. New graduates entering the Stoughton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stoughton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your pharmacy Career in Stoughton
Employers in Stoughton typically hiring fresh graduates include retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, which often provide entry-level positions along with paid PTCB training to help new hires secure their credentials. While hospital systems may prefer candidates with experience, they sometimes offer sterile compounding cross-training opportunities that can lead to higher-paying roles. To enhance new grad pharmacy technician pay MA-wide, candidates should focus on obtaining a high school diploma, completing state-approved training, and aiming for national certifications like the PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT. Additionally, those interested in sterile compounding should consider obtaining the CSPT credential for better prospects. Over the first one to three years, technicians can anticipate steady salary growth, especially with the retail sector experiencing wage increases due to labor shortages and expanded responsibilities post-2020. Investing in continued education and relevant certifications can set the stage for a robust career trajectory in this evolving field.
More salary data for Stoughton, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new pharmacy graduates. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Stoughton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Stoughton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov