Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Salary in Derry, NH: $41,696 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacy technicians entering the Derry, NH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $41,696 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Derry's local price level (BEA RPP 107.3 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $38,859 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($49,679) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Derry, New Hampshire provides an interesting starting point for new pharmacy technicians entering the workforce in 2026. Those fresh out of training can anticipate a starting salary around $41,696, which is a realistic expectation for early-career positions. While this figure sits below the city's median annual salary of $49,679, aspiring technicians can achieve growth as they move from entry-level to positions earning closer to the median in just a few years. The salary range for entry-level technicians in Derry indicates a positive growth trajectory, with many new graduates potentially reaching $42,530 within their first few years. Given the city's market dynamics and the rising demand for pharmacy technicians, Derry represents a favorable environment for new graduates at this time.
About the Derry Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Derry
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 Derry
Entry-level pharmacy technicians in Derry, NH typically start between $41,696 and $42,530 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $24,629 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $49,679 — 2.99% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in New Hampshire of $10,000 represents just 23.98% of the starting pharmacy technician pay ($41,696/year) in Derry. 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 Derry
- 1Research the Derry market: entry-level pharmacy technician pay ranges from $41,696 to $42,530, 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 NH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Derry, 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 Derry for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Derry'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 Derry is $24,629 ( 59.07%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $41,696, experienced hygienists can earn up to $66,325.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,480
2025 BLS Actual
$39,545
2026 Current Est.
$41,696
2019–2027 Growth
+66.0%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Derry (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,886 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,553 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,541 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,922 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,982 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,545 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,696 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,965 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacy technician compensation (10th percentile) in Derry, NH grew 49.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,480 in 2019 to $39,545 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,965. New graduates entering the Derry job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derry 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 Derry
In Derry, employers such as retail chains like CVS and Walgreens typically hire newly qualified pharmacy technicians, providing supportive paid training through programs like PTCB certification. While hospitals in the area may show preference for experienced technicians, they also offer valuable opportunities in sterile compounding cross-training, often important for positions meeting USP <797> and <800> compliance. Those entering this field should consider acquiring certifications like PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT to boost their starting pharmacy technician pay in NH. Given the growth trajectory in the pharmacy technician field, especially post-2020 with rising wages driven by increased demand, many entry-level positions can expect salary progression upward from their initial pay range. Within three years, new technicians in Derry might see realistic increases that align with the industry's ongoing need for skilled support, particularly in high-demand areas like sterile compounding.
More salary data for Derry, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for pharmacy technicians in Derry in 2026?
How fast do pharmacy technician salaries grow in Derry?
Is pharmacy school worth it in Derry?
What do new pharmacy technicians make right out of school in Derry?
How do I become a pharmacy technician in New Hampshire?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Hampshire
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 Derry. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Derry 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