Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Auburn, ME: $22.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Auburn, ME runs $22.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,592 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Auburn's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,950 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Auburn, the projected pharmacy technician hourly pay for 2026 stands at $22.40, slightly below the national median of $23.19. This hourly rate offers potential flexibility for part-time workers, especially those willing to work three days a week or in per-diem roles. Pharmacy technicians can expect to earn between $17.86 and $27.24 per hour depending on experience and specific duties within various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital sterile compounding environments, and mail-order fulfillment facilities. This growing occupation not only reflects the demand in Auburn, but also shows the positive wage adjustments in the sector brought about by pandemic-related expansions, addressing staffing shortages, and increasing responsibilities for pharmacy technicians.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.86 | $142.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.69 | $157.49 |
| Median (P50) | $22.40 | $179.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.34 | $186.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.24 | $217.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Auburn
Based on $22.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.40/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Auburn, ME can expect to earn approximately $46,583 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,875. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Auburn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Auburn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $895.82 | $3,882 | $46,583 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $537.49 | $2,329 | $27,950 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $358.33 | $1,553 | $18,633 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Auburn) | $22.40 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Auburn, ME earn a median of $46,592 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.41% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 3.00% below the Maine state average of $48,033.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.40/hr = $27,950/year (purchasing power: $28,062).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,583/year (purchasing power: $46,770).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Auburn grew 34.8% from $15.76/hr (2019) to $21.24/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.61/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Auburn
For those considering a part-time schedule, working approximately 24 hours a week yields a potential annual income of around $27,910, considerably less than full-time counterparts earning a consistent hourly rate. For pharmacy technicians engaging in per diem positions, pay rates typically range between $20 and $32 per hour, while specialized roles in hospital sterile compounding can fetch $25 to $40 per hour. The market also presents lucrative travel contracts ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 per week for technicians willing to work in high-demand areas. In Auburn, hourly rates can differ based on the employer, with retail pharmacy chains offering distinct packages compared to hospital pharmacies or specialty pharmacies. Some technicians may choose positions with lower pay but comprehensive health benefits, creating a conflict between immediate salary and long-term compensation. When negotiating hourly pay, technicians should emphasize their certifications and compliance training to secure the best rates, particularly in a city where demand for qualified staff continues to rise in various pharmacy settings.
More salary data for Auburn, ME:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Auburn. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Auburn 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