Pharmacy Technician Salary in Billings, MT: $51,476 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Billings, MT earns a median $51,476/year (≈ $24.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $55,039 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Billings, Montana, can expect a median annual salary of $51,476, which is a competitive figure when contrasted with the national median of $48,239. The local salary range spans from $40,605 at the lower end to $62,041 at the higher end, indicating significant earning potential for professionals in this field. The salary data is projected based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflecting the known demand for pharmacy services, particularly as the role has evolved to incorporate competencies such as sterile compounding and compliance with USP <797> and <800> standards. With the distinct credentialing pathways available, including the Certified Specialty Pharmacy Technician (CSPT) certification, those who possess specialized skills can command premiums in their compensation, enhancing their employment prospects in Billings's active job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,605 | $19.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,476 | $24.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,755 | $26.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,041 | $29.83 |
Median Salary Position
6.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,436 (2026 est.). At $51,476, the local median is 6.71% above the national median of $48,239.
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At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be above the median
How Billings Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Billings median: $51,476/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $51,787 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +6.71% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Billings, MT earn a median of $51,476 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.71% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.60% below the Montana state average of $51,787.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $51,476 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,039 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,720
2025 BLS Actual
$48,820
2026 Current Est.
$51,476
2019–2027 Growth
+43.9%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,476 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,276 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 29.4% from $37,720 (2019) to $48,820 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,276 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,556 (43.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,605 – $47,880 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,880 – $51,476 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,476 – $54,755 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,755 – $62,041 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Billings
The job market for pharmacy technicians in Billings remains robust, with approximately 290 technicians currently employed in the area. This strong demand is buoyed by a favorable cost of living index of 93.526, suggesting that take-home pay goes further in the community compared to the national average. Among local employers, hospital pharmacies and specialty settings typically offer the highest compensation, reflecting the complexities and responsibilities of roles that may involve sterile compounding and management of 340B programs. Various factors contribute to the differences in pay structures, including the CSPT certification stipend and shift differentials for night or weekend work. Technicians looking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing further certifications, exploring opportunities in higher-paying environments, or negotiating for premium compensation strategies tailored to the Billings market.
More salary data for Billings, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $48,820 for pharmacy techniciansin the Billings metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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