Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Frederick, MD: $24.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Frederick, MD runs $24.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,582 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Frederick's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,950 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Pharmacy technicians in Frederick, Maryland, earn a median hourly pay of $24.80, which notably surpasses the national hourly median of $23.19. This pay rate is particularly attractive for those considering part-time or per-diem work, as it translates to a substantial income during shifts at various health settings such as retail pharmacies, hospital IV clean rooms (following USP <797> and <800> standards), and specialized compounding areas. The hourly wage spans from $20.14 for entry-level positions to $34.07 for experienced professionals, providing numerous opportunities for growth within the field. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parities, reflecting the increasingly important role pharmacy technicians play in healthcare, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent vaccination initiatives.
About the Frederick 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) | $20.14 | $161.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.79 | $166.34 |
| Median (P50) | $24.80 | $198.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.79 | $222.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.07 | $272.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Frederick
Based on $24.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.80/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Frederick, MD can expect to earn approximately $51,583 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,759. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Frederick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Frederick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $991.98 | $4,299 | $51,583 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $595.19 | $2,579 | $30,950 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $396.79 | $1,719 | $20,633 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Frederick) | $24.80 |
| 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 Frederick, MD earn a median of $51,582 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.20% below the Maryland state average of $52,743.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.80/hr = $30,950/year (purchasing power: $28,316).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,583/year (purchasing power: $47,194).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Frederick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Frederick grew 34.8% from $17.45/hr (2019) to $23.52/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.15/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 Frederick 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 Frederick
Taking a closer look at part-time earnings, a pharmacy technician working three days a week, or 24 hours, can expect to generate roughly $30,889 annually, significantly lower than a full-time counterpart but still a meaningful income. For those interested in per diem opportunities, the landscape offers various prospects; per-diem pharmacy technicians commonly bill between $20 and $32 per hour, whereas hospital sterile compounding roles can command rates of $25 to $40 per hour. Some traveling pharmacy tech contracts even provide weekly income ranging between $1,200 and $1,800, especially in high-demand areas. Pay scales may differ across employer types, including retail chain pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, hospital systems, and mail-order facilities like Express Scripts. While some technicians might choose positions with lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as healthcare, others might prioritize higher pay without the added coverage. When negotiating, professionals should emphasize their skills, particularly if they hold certifications like CSPT from the PTCB or NHA ExCPT, to potentially improve their compensation in Frederick's competitive market.
More salary data for Frederick, 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 Frederick. 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 Frederick 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