Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Watertown, MA: $23.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Watertown, MA runs $23.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,342 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Watertown's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,002 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, Massachusetts, the projected pharmacy technician hourly rate for 2026 stands at $23.24, slightly surpassing the national median of $23.19. This competitive wage provides significant opportunities for part-time or per-diem workers engaged in various settings, such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital sterile compounding environments, and mail-order fulfillment operations. Entry-level pharmacy technicians can expect to earn about $18.66 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach rates as high as $29.22 per hour. The estimated hourly wages reflect a wide range of positioning based on experience and specialization, offering clear pathways for career advancement within the profession.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.66 | $149.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.10 | $160.77 |
| Median (P50) | $23.24 | $185.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.59 | $196.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.22 | $233.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $23.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.24/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, MA can expect to earn approximately $48,337 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,887. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $929.56 | $4,028 | $48,337 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $557.74 | $2,417 | $29,002 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $371.82 | $1,611 | $19,335 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Watertown) | $23.24 |
| 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 Watertown, MA earn a median of $48,342 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.21% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $48,979.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.24/hr = $29,002/year (purchasing power: $26,730).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,337/year (purchasing power: $44,550).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Watertown grew 34.8% from $16.36/hr (2019) to $22.04/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.50/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 Watertown 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 Watertown
For a pharmacy technician working part-time, say three days a week, the take-home can vary significantly compared to full-time counterparts. With an average of 24 hours worked weekly, a part-time technician could earn around $28,540 annually. In contrast, per-diem roles can offer a much broader range of compensation; pharmacy techs often bill between $20-$32 an hour, with those in hospital sterile compounding roles potentially earning $25-$40 an hour due to the higher level of skill required. Different employment sectors within Watertown, including retail chains like CVS and specialty pharmacies such as Accredo, tend to influence hourly pay rates, providing variations that reflect market demand and the technician's level of certification, whether PTCB or CSPT. Moreover, many pharmacy technicians may opt for positions with slightly lower pay that offer inclusive benefits, illustrating the trade-off between hourly wages and health insurance. For those looking to negotiate their pay, understanding the local market rates and highlighting specific skills related to pharmacy standards like USP <797>/<800> compliance can bolster their bargaining position.
More salary data for Watertown, MA:
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 Watertown. 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 Watertown 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