Pharmacy Technician Employment & Salary Trends, and Career Opportunities in Massachusetts

Overview

Massachusetts is home to more than 7,000 salaried pharmacy technicians. This means, the state is home to around 2.1 percent of the nation’s 334,400 salaried technicians. Aspiring pharmacy technicians choose The Bay State for:

• The opportunity to work at renowned medical facilities such as Massachusetts General Hospital (nationally ranked in 20 specialties), Boston Children’s Hospital (nationally ranked in 10 specialties), and Lahey Clinic (nationally ranked in 3 specialties)
• Access to more than 80 other outstanding hospitals
• Access to hundreds of quality health care and pharmacy technician training programs
• Salary and employment growth: employment and salary growth has been on the rise since 2006

According the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), Massachusetts is home to 7,150 salaried pharmacy technicians. They average $31,830 per year. In 2006, Massachusetts-based pharmacy technicians averaged $27,510, so salaries have increased by $700+ each year. Across the nation, pharmacy technicians now average around $28,940 per year (median), with the top ten percent averaging $41,880 and the bottom ten percent earning $20,310 per year.

Employment is in the rise as well. In 2006, the state was home to 5,700 pharmacy technicians. This means, the state added 1,450 jobs since 2006. Across the nation, the pharmacy technician industry will enjoy a significant amount of employment growth between now and 2020. The industry expects to add 108,300 new jobs over the next 8 years, so employment overall is expected to grow by an impressive 32 percent.

Pharmacy Technician Career Opportunities in Massachusetts

While the number one employer for pharmacy technicians is the almighty chain pharmacy, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that aspiring pharmacy technicians do have other options. Just a few alternatives include computer systems design firms, scientific and technical consulting services, government agencies, hospitals and outpatient care centers, clinics, grocery stores, department stores, electronic shopping and mail-order houses, academic institutions, and independent pharmacies.

Like most other states, Massachusetts is home to a significant number of large chain pharmacies. Some of the most popular chains include:

• CVS
• Fenway Health
• Kmart Pharmacy
• Louis & Clark Drug Stores
• Rite Aid
• Target Pharmacy
• Walgreens
• Walmart

Just a few of the Massachusetts’s largest hospitals/hospital systems include:

• Austin Riggs Center
• Baystate Medical Center
• Boston Children’s Hospital
• Boston Medical Center
• Falmouth Hospital
• Lahey Clinic
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• McLean Hospital
• New England Baptist Hospital
• South Shore Hospital
• Tufts Medical Center
• Umass Memorial Medical Center

Schools Offering Pharmacy Technician Training Programs Include: