Pharmacy Technician Salary in Helena, MT: $52,625 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Helena, MT earns a median $52,625/year (≈ $25.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $55,004 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual pharmacy technician salary in Helena, Montana, projected at $52,625 for 2026, the compensation in this city reflects notable local market dynamics. The salary for pharmacy technicians ranges from $41,153 at the 10th percentile to $74,894 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a competitive wage environment. Data from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys underpins these figures, indicating a favorable climate for professionals in the field. Additionally, the typical pharmacy technician in Helena MT can benefit from shift differentials and potential premiums for overnight retail duties, contributing to a more lucrative earning potential compared to many other regions. This aligns well with the anticipated growth rate of 5.44%, which suggests a healthy demand for pharmacy technicians in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,153 | $19.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,084 | $24.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,625 | $25.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,443 | $30.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,894 | $36.01 |
Median Salary Position
9.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,741 (2026 est.). At $52,625, the local median is 9.09% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Helena Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Helena median: $52,625/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $51,796 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +9.09% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Helena, MT earn a median of $52,625 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.09% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.60% above the Montana state average of $51,796.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $52,625 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,004 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,037
2025 BLS Actual
$49,910
2026 Current Est.
$52,625
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,037 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,292 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,081 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,226 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,964 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,625 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,488 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $37,037 (2019) to $49,910 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,488 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,451 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $41,153 – $50,084 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,084 – $52,625 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,625 – $63,443 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,443 – $74,894 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Helena
In Helena, the job market currently supports around 110 employed pharmacy technicians, establishing a foundational workforce for local healthcare needs. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 95.675, professionals in this field can expect their take-home pay to stretch further compared to national averages, effectively increasing their purchasing power. Prestigious employers, like major retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens, typically drive pay rates, though hospital settings often offer superior compensation due to the complexities of sterile compounding and compliance measures. This wage disparity stems from various factors, including certifications like CSPT, which may command additional stipends, and differences in pay scales between retail and hospital environments. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Helena, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking roles in higher-paying settings, such as hospitals or specialized pharmacies, can lead to improved salary prospects in the competitive pharmacy technician landscape.
More salary data for Helena, 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 $49,910 for pharmacy techniciansin the Helena 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, 2-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