Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Rocky Mount, NC: $20.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Rocky Mount, NC runs $20.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,914 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Rocky Mount's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,752 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Pharmacy technicians in Rocky Mount, NC, earn a median hourly pay of $20.63, which is notably lower than the national median of $23.19. This pay reflects the area's economic conditions and the demand for technicians in various settings such as retail pharmacies, hospital IV clean rooms, and specialty compounding operations. For those considering part-time work, such as a schedule of three days a week, the hourly pay translates to a significant opportunity for maintaining work-life balance while still earning a respectable income. The hourly pay ranges from $17.64 for entry-level positions to $25.32 for experienced technicians, demonstrating a diverse earning potential within Rocky Mount's pharmacy sector. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a clear snapshot of the expected compensation landscape.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.64 | $141.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.37 | $146.94 |
| Median (P50) | $20.63 | $165.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.79 | $190.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.32 | $202.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rocky Mount
Based on $20.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.63/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rocky Mount, NC can expect to earn approximately $42,920 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,762. With a cost-of-living index of 88.01 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rocky Mount.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rocky Mount
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $825.38 | $3,577 | $42,920 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $495.23 | $2,146 | $25,752 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $330.15 | $1,431 | $17,168 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Rocky Mount) | $20.63 |
| 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 Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $42,914 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.04% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 9.40% below the North Carolina state average of $47,367.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.63/hr = $25,752/year (purchasing power: $29,260).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,920/year (purchasing power: $48,766).
CoL index: 88.012 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Rocky Mount grew 33.2% from $14.69/hr (2019) to $19.57/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.76/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 Rocky Mount 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 Rocky Mount
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Exploring the part-time earning potential for pharmacy technicians reveals how a 24-hour workweek can affect overall income. Working three days at the median hourly rate results in an annual take-home amount that remains competitive with full-time roles despite fewer hours. For those interested in more flexible options, per diem pharmacy technician pay in Rocky Mount generally falls between $20 and $32 per hour, with specialized hospital positions potentially earning $25 to $40 per hour. Additionally, travel contracts can yield weekly earnings in the range of $1,200 to $1,800, appealing to technicians looking for lucrative short-term assignments. Hourly rates vary by employer type, with retail chains often providing lower wages compared to hospitals and specialty pharmacies, which offer better compensation for sterile compounding roles. While some may choose the stability of a lower rate with benefits, others may negotiate for higher pay, prioritizing immediate earnings over long-term benefits. Practical negotiation tips for hourly workers include emphasizing relevant certifications such as PTCB and CSPT credentials, especially in a competitive market like Rocky Mount.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, NC:
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
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 Rocky Mount. 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