Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $22.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Wilmington, NC runs $22.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,710 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,028 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Wilmington, NC, earn a median hourly rate of $22.46, which is slightly below the national average of $23.19 per hour. This income level provides a solid foundation for part-time and per-diem workers, making it viable for those working three days a week to manage their expenses. Job settings across retail pharmacies, hospital clean rooms, and specialty pharmacies showcase this profession’s versatility, from entry-level roles starting at $18.22 to experienced technicians earning as much as $31.75 an hour. Data sourced based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections for 2026 highlight the expected pay scales for these critical roles within the pharmaceutical industry in Wilmington.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.22 | $145.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.81 | $150.48 |
| Median (P50) | $22.46 | $179.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.17 | $193.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.75 | $253.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $22.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.46/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $46,714 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,950. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $898.35 | $3,893 | $46,714 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $539.01 | $2,336 | $28,028 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $359.34 | $1,557 | $18,686 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Wilmington) | $22.46 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $46,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.17% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $47,373.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.46/hr = $28,028/year (purchasing power: $29,069).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,714/year (purchasing power: $48,448).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+64.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Wilmington grew 47.7% from $14.42/hr (2019) to $21.30/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.68/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Looking at the potential earnings for part-time pharmacy technicians, those working 24 hours a week can anticipate an annual income of approximately $27,529, compared to full-time counterparts. Many seek per-diem or agency work, where rates can vary significantly, ranging from $20 to $32 per hour based on demand and specific skills, particularly in sterile compounding—where agencies may offer between $25 and $40 an hour in hospitals. Various employers, such as CVS and Walgreens, may provide lower hourly rates but include health insurance benefits that attract some technicians. Conversely, those prioritizing higher pay might choose positions without benefits, thus affecting personal financial planning. For those in Wilmington, effectively negotiating for competitive pay can be pivotal; demonstrating expertise in specialized areas compliant with USP <797> / <800> regulations may bolster bargaining power and increase job satisfaction.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 Wilmington. 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