Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Salary in Burlington, VT: $40,310 (2026)
Quick Answer:New pharmacy technicians entering the Burlington, VT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $40,310 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 100.9 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $39,931 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($50,548) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Entering the pharmacy technician field in Burlington, Vermont, offers promising earning potential for new graduates, with the starting pharmacy technician salary in Burlington projected at $40,310 in 2026. While this figure sits below the city median of $50,548, it represents a solid foundation for early-career professionals, especially considering the expected growth trajectory. As technicians gain experience, they can anticipate salary increases that bridge the gap to the 25th percentile pay of $45,814 and ultimately toward the median as they develop their skills. Burlington presents a favorable market for new grads, given its healthy job growth rate of 5.44% annually, which reflects increasing demand for pharmacy technicians in the area.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
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 Burlington
Entry-level pharmacy technicians in Burlington, VT typically start between $40,310 and $45,814 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $39,888 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $50,548 — 4.79% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average pharmacy program cost in Vermont of $9,000 represents just 22.33% of the starting pharmacy technician pay ($40,310/year) in Burlington. 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 Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level pharmacy technician pay ranges from $40,310 to $45,814, 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 VT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, 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 Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington'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 Burlington is $39,888 ( 98.95%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $40,310, experienced hygienists can earn up to $80,198.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$25,720
2025 BLS Actual
$38,230
2026 Current Est.
$40,310
2019–2027 Growth
+65.3%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,310 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,503 | Projected |
Entry-level pharmacy technician compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, VT grew 48.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $25,720 in 2019 to $38,230 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $42,503. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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 Burlington
In Burlington, several employers are actively hiring new pharmacy technicians, with retail chains like CVS and Walgreens leading the way. These companies often provide training consistent with PTCB certification, creating a viable pathway for entry-level positions. Hospitals, while typically favoring experienced technicians, do offer sterile compounding cross-training opportunities, especially for those willing to comply with USP <797> and <800> standards. To enhance starting pay, new grads should consider obtaining national certifications like PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT, as well as adhering to state pharmacy registration requirements. In the initial years, pharmacy technicians can expect pay growth, driven by increased responsibilities and an expanding demand for trained professionals. With retail wages having surged significantly post-2020 due to vaccine-related duties and an ongoing technician shortage, the career trajectory for first-time pharmacy techs in Burlington looks promising.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
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 Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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