Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $23.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Charleston, SC runs $23.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,176 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,910 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, South Carolina, the median hourly pay for pharmacy technicians is projected to be $23.17 in 2026, closely aligning with the national median of $23.19. This competitive hourly rate allows for diverse working arrangements, including part-time positions typically held three days a week, where technicians can expect to balance their schedules across retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacies, and specialty compounding areas. The hourly earnings range from $19.07 for entry-level technicians to $28.47 for those in higher-paying roles, illustrating a clear pathway for advancement and specialization within the field. These figures are official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they reflect the increasing need for pharmacy technicians, especially in light of rising demand post-2020.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.07 | $152.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.49 | $155.88 |
| Median (P50) | $23.17 | $185.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.47 | $195.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.47 | $227.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $23.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.17/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $48,184 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,798. With a cost-of-living index of 100.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $926.61 | $4,015 | $48,184 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $555.96 | $2,409 | $28,910 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $370.64 | $1,606 | $19,273 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Charleston) | $23.17 |
| 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 Charleston, SC earn a median of $48,176 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.13% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 14.60% above the South Carolina state average of $42,038.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.17/hr = $28,910/year (purchasing power: $28,635).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,184/year (purchasing power: $47,724).
CoL index: 100.962 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Charleston grew 31.9% from $16.66/hr (2019) to $21.97/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.43/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
Considering part-time work, a pharmacy technician in Charleston who operates on a three-day workweek, totaling 24 hours, would see an annual income of around $28,287. This amount contrasts sharply with full-time employees who earn substantially more. For those seeking more flexibility, per diem pharmacy technicians can expect rates between $20 and $32 per hour, with specialized roles, especially in sterile compounding, offering opportunities to earn $25 to $40 hourly. Travel contracts tailored for hospital compounding positions have also emerged in response to workforce shortages, with some techs billing $1,200 to $1,800 per week. Various employers in Charleston, from retail giants like CVS and Walgreens to long-term care facilities and boutique pharmacies, influence hourly wages differently. This creates a trade-off where technicians might accept lower hourly rates for the benefits associated with full-time positions. For those working hourly, negotiating pay effectively requires a keen understanding of local rates and employer offerings.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
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 Charleston. 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