Pharmacy Tech Pay

Rocky Mount vs Winston: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Rocky Mount, NC and Winston, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rocky Mount, NC
$42,914
$20.63/hr
Winston, NC
$48,260
$23.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRocky Mount, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$42,914$48,260
Hourly Rate$20.63$23.21
Entry Level (P10)$36,683$37,305
25th Percentile$38,211$40,025
75th Percentile$49,472$54,555
Top Earner (P90)$52,667$66,237
Total Employed2201,540
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rocky Mount ($42,914) and Winston ($48,260) pharmacy technician salaries.Rocky MountWinstonMedian Salary$42,914$48,260Entry Level (P10)$36,683$37,305Top Earner (P90)$52,667$66,237US Median $48,239

Verdict

Winston, NC offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rocky Mount.

The salary gap between Rocky Mount and Winston is $5,346 (12.46%). Winston's median is +0.04% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rocky Mount spans $15,984,Winston spans $28,932. Winston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Rocky Mount
P10 (Entry)$36,683
P25$38,211
Median$42,914
P75$49,472
P90 (Top)$52,667
Winston
P10 (Entry)$37,305
P25$40,025
Median$48,260
P75$54,555
P90 (Top)$66,237

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Winston ($52,432 effective) pays 7.53% more than Rocky Mount ($48,759 effective).

Rocky Mount
Nominal: $42,914
CoL Index: 88.012
Adjusted: $48,759
Winston
Nominal: $48,260
CoL Index: 92.043
Adjusted: $52,432

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rocky Mount if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,260/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($66,237)
  • Larger job market (1,540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,432)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Rocky Mount grew 33.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.5% growth in Winston over the same period.

Rocky Mount, NC

+33.2%

$30,560 (2019) → $40,700 (2025)

Winston, NC

+28.5%

$35,630 (2019) → $45,770 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Rocky Mount or Winston?

Winston has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,260/year, compared to Rocky Mount at $42,914/year — a difference of $5,346 (12.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rocky Mount and Winston?

Rocky Mount pharmacy technicians earn $20.63/hr while Winston hygienists earn $23.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rocky Mount to Winston as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rocky Mount and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rocky Mount = $48,759, Winston = $52,432), job availability (220 vs 1,540 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Rocky Mount vs Winston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $36,683 in Rocky Mount and $37,305 in Winston. The Winston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov