Pharmacy Technician Salary in Montana: $52,485 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacy technician pay sits at $52,485/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2052. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $54,558 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bozeman ($54,750), Helena ($49,910), Great Falls ($49,110).
In Montana, the projected average median salary for pharmacy technicians in 2026 is $52,485, which is approximately 8.8% higher than the national median of $48,239. This salary landscape varies significantly by city; Bozeman offers the highest salary at $57,728, while Kalispell presents the lowest at $49,444. The disparity between these cities can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, the demand for healthcare services, and local pharmacy practice environments. Montana's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws also play critical roles in shaping the salary structure. Pharmacy technicians in the state must be licensed, which typically necessitates completing an accredited training program and passing a competency exam. The job market for pharmacy technicians shows strong potential, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 5.44%, reflecting the ongoing need for pharmacy services across the state. Major cities projected for growth include Helena at $52,625, Great Falls at $51,782, Billings at $51,476, and Missoula at $51,212. This positive outlook suggests that, as the demand for healthcare continues to rise, there will be ample opportunities for pharmacy technicians throughout Montana.
Montana Pharmacy Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $39,115 (lowest entry-level) to $74,894 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana pharmacy technicians earn 8.80% more than the national median (+$4,246/year difference).
Montana Pharmacy Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacy Technician salaries in Montana range from $41,400 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $64,679 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $52,485. The Montana median is $4,246 above the US national median of $48,239. The average hourly rate is $25.23/hr. Approximately 891 pharmacy technicians are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,422
2025 BLS Actual
$49,777
2026 Current Est.
$52,485
2019–2027 Growth
+56.2%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,422 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,194 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,982 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,855 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,021 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,024 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,777 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,485 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,340 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 40.5% from $35,422 (2019) to $49,777 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,340 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,918 (56.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kalispell | $49,444 |
| Butte | $50,322 |
| Missoula | $51,212 |
| Billings | $51,476 |
| Great Falls | $51,782 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacy Technicians in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacy technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | $57,728 | 102.51 | $56,315 |
| Billings | $51,476 | 93.526 | $55,039 |
| Helena | $52,625 | 95.675 | $55,004 |
| Great Falls | $51,782 | 96.845 | $53,469 |
| Missoula | $51,212 | 96.445 | $53,100 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,400 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $52,485 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $64,679 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacy technicians.
Explore More Pharmacy Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacy technicians in Montana?
How does Montana pharmacy technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacy technician salary in Montana?
How many pharmacy technicians are employed in Montana?
Which Montana city offers the best value for pharmacy technicians?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacy technician compensation across Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacy technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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