Pharmacy Technician in Massachusetts: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Massachusetts employs 10,150 pharmacy technicians, with a statewide median of $46,470 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.
What Pharmacy technicians Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)
- Massachusetts median pay
- $46,470 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $37,980
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $59,580
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $71,070
- Employed in Massachusetts
- 10,150
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $40,300 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for pharmacy technicians in major Massachusetts markets:
- Cape Cod
- $47,280 (260 employed)
- Boston
- $46,890 (7,370 employed)
- Worcester
- $46,010 (1,160 employed)
- Springfield
- $44,740 (660 employed)
- Providence
- $43,800 (2,240 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts
Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $46,470 median is worth closer to $43,922 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)
Massachusetts is projected to grow pharmacy technicians employment +4.3%, slower than the +6.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,160 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Pharmacy Technician — regulated by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy.
- Massachusetts requires a pharmacy technician license — not just registration. Meet one of four Board pathways: (1) pass PTCB CPhT, ExCPT, or NRCPhT national certification exam; OR (2) document at least 500 hours of pharmacy work experience within the past three years. All pathways require being at least 18 with a high school diploma.
- Submit your application to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy with a $150 fee via the Board's online portal.
- Apply to CVS (headquartered in Woonsocket, RI with major MA presence), Walgreens, hospital pharmacies at Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Lahey Health, or the growing network of specialty and compounding pharmacies in Greater Boston. Renew every two years.
Official requirements: Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy →
Training in Massachusetts
Massachusetts' large hospital system and growing specialty pharmacy sector create strong pharmacy tech demand. CVS's significant Massachusetts presence (pharmacy and MinuteClinic) is a major employer. The state's national certification pathway requirement makes PTCB CPhT the practical standard. Massachusetts pharmacy tech wages are above the national median.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:
- Bristol Community College — Certificate
- Bunker Hill Community College — Certificate
- Cape Cod Community College — Certificate
- Charles H McCann Technical School — Certificate
Where Pharmacy technicians Work in Massachusetts
Real Massachusetts hospitals that employ pharmacy technicians include:
- VA Hosp — Northampton
- VA Hosp — Bedford
- VA Hosp — Brockton
- VA Hosp — Boston
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston
- Tewksbury Hospital — Tewksbury
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want healthcare entry with a short training path and are comfortable with detail-oriented, fast-paced counter work.
Think twice if: Standing for long shifts, retail pharmacy pace, and a pay ceiling that's hard to break without becoming a pharmacist sound limiting.
Why it's resilient: Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with dispensing, patient counseling support, and insurance processing — roles requiring physical presence and human judgment.
First Steps
Check your state's licensing requirements — some allow on-the-job training, others require a formal program and the PTCE or ExCPT certification exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Massachusetts?
The median wage for pharmacy technicians in Massachusetts is $46,470 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,980, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $71,070. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Pharmacy Technician in Massachusetts?
Licensed Pharmacy Technician, overseen by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy. Massachusetts requires a pharmacy technician license — not just registration. Meet one of four Board pathways: (1) pass PTCB CPhT, ExCPT, or NRCPhT national certification exam; OR (2) document at least 500 hours of pharmacy work experience within the past three years. All pathways require being at least 18 with a high school diploma.
Is being a Pharmacy Technician a good career in Massachusetts?
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with dispensing, patient counseling support, and insurance processing — roles requiring physical presence and human judgment.
Which Massachusetts metros pay pharmacy technicians the most?
Among Massachusetts metro areas, Cape Cod leads at $47,280, followed by Boston ($46,890), Worcester ($46,010). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Pharmacy Technician in Massachusetts?
Real Massachusetts options include Bristol Community College, Bunker Hill Community College, Cape Cod Community College. Most pharmacy technicians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Pharmacy Technician a growing career in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts projects pharmacy technicians employment to change +4.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,160 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2052. Licensing summary compiled from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.