Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Bethesda, MD: $24.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Bethesda, MD runs $24.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,926 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Bethesda's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,555 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethesda, Maryland, pharmacy technicians earn a median hourly pay of $24.48, providing a competitive advantage over the national median hourly rate of $23.19. This strong hourly pay can significantly benefit part-time and per-diem workers, especially in dynamic environments like retail pharmacy counters or hospital sterile compounding areas compliant with USP <797> and <800>. With an hourly range spanning from $19.30 for entry-level positions to $33.02 for experienced top earners, individuals in this profession can find flexible work opportunities that align with their schedules and financial goals. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the ongoing demand for pharmacy technicians in various settings such as specialty pharmacy compounding and long-term care production floors.
About the Bethesda Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.30 | $154.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.16 | $161.28 |
| Median (P50) | $24.48 | $195.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.08 | $216.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.02 | $264.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethesda
Based on $24.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.48/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethesda, MD can expect to earn approximately $50,925 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,380. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bethesda.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethesda
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $979.33 | $4,244 | $50,925 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $587.60 | $2,546 | $30,555 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $391.73 | $1,697 | $20,370 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Bethesda) | $24.48 |
| 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 Bethesda, MD earn a median of $50,926 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $52,719.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.48/hr = $30,555/year (purchasing power: $27,955).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,925/year (purchasing power: $46,592).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Bethesda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Bethesda grew 34.8% from $17.23/hr (2019) to $23.22/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.82/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 Bethesda 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 Bethesda
Looking at the financial prospects for pharmacy technicians in Bethesda, those working part-time—around 24 hours a week—can expect to take home approximately $28,670 annually, while full-time technicians could earn around $51,000 or more depending on additional hours and responsibilities. For per diem pharmacy technicians, hourly rates typically range from $20 to $32, with specialized roles such as hospital sterile compounding commanding higher rates—around $25 to $40 an hour. Opportunities for travel contracts also exist, offering substantial weekly earnings between $1,200 and $1,800 in areas experiencing shortages. Hourly pay varies significantly depending on the employer type, with retail pharmacy chains and hospital pharmacies typically offering different scales of compensation. Some pharmacy technicians may choose lower hourly wages with benefits over higher pay without them, emphasizing the importance of negotiating based on personal needs. Understanding these factors can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their career paths in Bethesda's pharmacy landscape.
More salary data for Bethesda, MD:
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 Bethesda. 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 Bethesda 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