Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $24.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Great Falls, MT runs $24.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,782 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,068 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Great Falls, Montana, the projected pharmacy technician hourly pay is set at $24.89, surpassing the national hourly median of $23.19. This rate is indicative of a profession that is poised to grow and adapt in various settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, and specialty compounding areas. For part-time workers, such as those employed for three days each week, the potential earnings can provide a solid income, particularly when combined with flexible per-diem opportunities. The hourly wage range for pharmacy technicians in Great Falls spans from $19.64 at the entry-level to $29.81 for those in advanced roles, reflecting the diverse responsibilities and skill levels required across the field. This data comes from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.64 | $157.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.95 | $191.56 |
| Median (P50) | $24.89 | $199.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.87 | $207.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.81 | $238.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $24.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.89/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $51,780 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,873. With a cost-of-living index of 96.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $995.78 | $4,315 | $51,780 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $597.47 | $2,589 | $31,068 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $398.31 | $1,726 | $20,712 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Great Falls) | $24.89 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT earn a median of $51,782 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.34% higher than the national median of $48,239.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.89/hr = $31,068/year (purchasing power: $32,080).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,780/year (purchasing power: $53,467).
CoL index: 96.845 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Great Falls grew 43.4% from $16.47/hr (2019) to $23.61/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.25/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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls
Considering the impact of part-time scheduling, a pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week might expect to take home around $31,125 annually, which can be quite substantial, especially compared to full-time counterparts. For those pursuing per-diem positions, pay typically ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles in sterile compounding commanding rates between $25 and $40. Travel pharmacy technician contracts have also emerged, with earnings potentially reaching $1,200 to $1,800 weekly in high-demand areas. The hourly rates additionally vary by employer type, with retail pharmacy chains and hospital environments offering different compensation structures. While some technicians may accept lower pay for the security of health benefits, others may prefer higher hourly wages without those perks. For those looking to negotiate their pay, understanding local wage trends and the demand for certified technicians, especially with the rise of mandatory PTCB certification, can position them advantageously in the Great Falls market.
More salary data for Great Falls, 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 Great Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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