Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Salary in Biloxi, MS: $33,717 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacy technicians entering the Biloxi, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $33,717 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Biloxi's local price level (BEA RPP 85.7 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $39,343 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($42,482) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians entering the workforce in Biloxi, Mississippi, can expect to start their careers with a salary around $33,717 in 2026. This figure, representing the lower 10% of earners in the field, sets a baseline for new graduates as they gain experience. Over the first few years, technicians will likely see pay increases as they advance through the professional tiers; for instance, the 25th percentile stands at $34,797, which reflects gradual salary growth. Compared to the median annual salary of $42,482 in Biloxi, entry-level pay demonstrates a notable gap that new grads will need to consider as they plan their career trajectory. Despite this initial gap, Biloxi remains a relevant market for first-time technicians, especially given the 5.44% annual growth rate projected in the field, indicating strong future prospects for pharmacy technicians.
About the Biloxi Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Biloxi
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 Biloxi
Entry-level pharmacy technicians in Biloxi, MS typically start between $33,717 and $34,797 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,719 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $42,482 — 11.93% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Mississippi of $3,500 represents just 10.38% of the starting pharmacy technician pay ($33,717/year) in Biloxi. 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 Biloxi
- 1Research the Biloxi market: entry-level pharmacy technician pay ranges from $33,717 to $34,797, 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 MS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Biloxi, 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 Biloxi for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Biloxi's below-average 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 Biloxi is $20,719 ( 61.45%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $33,717, experienced hygienists can earn up to $54,436.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$21,413
2025 BLS Actual
$31,977
2026 Current Est.
$33,717
2019–2027 Growth
+66.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Biloxi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21,413 | Actual |
| 2020 | $22,549 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,514 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,313 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,047 | Actual |
| 2024 | $21,925 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,977 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33,717 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,551 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacy technician compensation (10th percentile) in Biloxi, MS grew 49.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $21,413 in 2019 to $31,977 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $35,551. New graduates entering the Biloxi job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Biloxi 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 Biloxi
New graduates searching for employment in the pharmacy tech field in Biloxi will find numerous opportunities, particularly with large retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, which commonly hire recent graduates. These companies typically provide paid PTCB training, equipping new hires with essential skills. Meanwhile, hospital systems tend to favor candidates with prior experience, but they also offer specialized training in sterile compounding, which is invaluable in the current market. To enhance starting pay, new technicians should pursue certifications such as the PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT along with state registration. Career growth in these initial years can be promising, especially as retail tech wages have shown significant increases in recent years due to staffing shortages and increased responsibilities during the pandemic. Focusing on gaining skills in sterile compounding and pursuing certifications can lead to higher-paying roles, making strategic planning during the first three years of employment crucial for long-term success in Biloxi's pharmacy sector.
More salary data for Biloxi, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for pharmacy technicians in Biloxi in 2026?
How fast do pharmacy technician salaries grow in Biloxi?
Is pharmacy school worth it in Biloxi?
What do new pharmacy technicians make right out of school in Biloxi?
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Mississippi?
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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 Biloxi. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Biloxi 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