Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Butte, MT: $24.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Butte, MT runs $24.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,322 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Butte's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,200 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, Montana, pharmacy technicians will find that the projected hourly median pay hits $24.20 in 2026, a figure that surpasses the national median hourly rate of $23.19. This competitive rate is particularly beneficial for part-time and per-diem workers who typically operate in environments such as retail pharmacies, hospital settings, mail-order fulfillment centers, and specialized compounding areas. Those in entry-level positions can expect to earn around $18.81, while more experienced technicians might earn as much as $32.02, making this a promising field for both newcomers and seasoned professionals alike. These hourly figures reflect the increasing demand for technicians, particularly in the wake of challenges faced in the industry over the past few years, including shifts due to vaccination roles and pharmacy automation advancements.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.81 | $150.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.47 | $163.73 |
| Median (P50) | $24.20 | $193.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.58 | $212.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.02 | $256.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Butte
Based on $24.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.20/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Butte, MT can expect to earn approximately $50,333 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,038. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Butte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Butte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $967.94 | $4,194 | $50,333 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $580.76 | $2,517 | $30,200 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $387.18 | $1,678 | $20,133 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Butte) | $24.20 |
| 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 Butte, MT earn a median of $50,322 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.32% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $51,772.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.20/hr = $30,200/year (purchasing power: $31,393).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,333/year (purchasing power: $52,321).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Butte grew 34.8% from $17.03/hr (2019) to $22.95/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.51/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 Butte 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 Butte
Beyond the mere numbers, the earning potential for part-time pharmacy technicians in Butte is worth examining closely. A worker on a typical 3-day workweek schedule totaling 24 hours might expect to take home approximately $1,069 monthly, translating to an annualized income significantly lower than that of full-time colleagues. In the per-diem realm, pharmacy technicians can command varying rates, often billing between $20 to $32 per hour, and those engaged in hospital sterile compounding can expect even higher rates of $25 to $40 per hour. For those willing to travel for opportunities, contracts can run from $1,200 to $1,800 weekly, particularly in high-demand markets. Hourly rates also fluctuate based on employer type, with retail chains like CVS and Walgreens generally offering lower wages compared to specialty and long-term care pharmacies. Some technicians may opt for lower-paying roles that provide stability and health benefits, opting for that trade-off rather than chasing higher hourly rates without them. For those looking to negotiate their pay, emphasizing experience with compliance and sterile techniques can leverage better offers in the Butte marketplace.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
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 Butte. 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 Butte 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