Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Durham, NC: $24.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Durham, NC runs $24.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,926 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Durham's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.6, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,950 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Durham, North Carolina, pharmacy technicians earn a median hourly rate of $24.00, which surpasses the national average of $23.19. This competitive hourly pay allows both full-time and part-time technicians to thrive in various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV clean rooms adhering to USP <797> and <800> standards, and speciality pharmacy compounding hoods. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the hourly pay translates to a more manageable income while also allowing flexibility. Entry-level positions typically start at around $19.32 per hour, climbing to as much as $29.98 for experienced professionals or those in specialized roles. The figures presented are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the growing demand for skilled pharmacy technicians amid an evolving healthcare landscape.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.32 | $154.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.80 | $166.43 |
| Median (P50) | $24.00 | $191.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.14 | $217.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.98 | $239.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durham
Based on $24.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.00/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durham, NC can expect to earn approximately $49,916 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,798. With a cost-of-living index of 97.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Durham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $959.93 | $4,160 | $49,916 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $575.96 | $2,496 | $29,950 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $383.97 | $1,664 | $19,966 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Durham) | $24.00 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Durham, NC earn a median of $49,926 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.50% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 5.40% above the North Carolina state average of $47,368.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.00/hr = $29,950/year (purchasing power: $30,695).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,916/year (purchasing power: $51,158).
CoL index: 97.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Durham grew 43.1% from $15.90/hr (2019) to $22.76/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.30/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham 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.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Durham
Part-time pharmacy technicians in Durham, working 24 hours a week, can expect an annual income of roughly $49,920, compared to full-time professionals who may earn substantially more. Per-diem and agency pharmacy techs often find themselves in a competitive environment where hourly rates can range from $20 to $32, and specialized hospital sterile compounding roles command even higher rates of $25 to $40 per hour. Travel contracts offer lucrative options, with opportunities to earn between $1,200 and $1,800 per week, especially in markets experiencing shortages. Variations in hourly pay can also be seen across different employer types, such as retail chains like CVS and Walgreens versus hospital settings and mail-order operations. Pharmacy technicians might choose lower pay in exchange for health benefits, weighing their immediate earnings against long-term benefits. For those looking to negotiate, understanding the local labor market and their specific value proposition can significantly impact pay discussions in Durham.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Durham in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Durham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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