Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Clemson, SC: $18.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Clemson, SC runs $18.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,703 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Clemson's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,225 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Clemson, South Carolina, can expect an hourly median pay of $18.61, which trails behind the national median of $23.19. This wage reflects the local industry's competitive landscape, affecting part-time workers, typically employed 3 days a week, and those seeking per-diem opportunities. Within this professional setting, technicians often find positions across various environments, including retail pharmacies, hospital sterilization units, and specialized pharmacies, where they gain experience and can work their way up the pay scale. New entrants into the field usually start closer to $15.72 per hour, while the most experienced technicians can earn as much as $23.73 per hour. The projected hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Clemson highlight the need for ongoing skill development to maximize earning potential, especially given the current growth trajectory of 5.44% annually in employment within this profession.
About the Clemson Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($37,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.72 | $125.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.04 | $128.30 |
| Median (P50) | $18.61 | $148.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.03 | $160.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.73 | $189.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clemson
Based on $18.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.61/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clemson, SC can expect to earn approximately $38,709 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,332. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Clemson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clemson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $744.41 | $3,226 | $38,709 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $446.64 | $1,935 | $23,225 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $297.76 | $1,290 | $15,484 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Clemson) | $18.61 |
| 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 Clemson, SC earn a median of $38,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.77% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 7.90% below the South Carolina state average of $42,023.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.61/hr = $23,225/year (purchasing power: $25,383).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,709/year (purchasing power: $42,305).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Clemson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Clemson grew 34.8% from $13.10/hr (2019) to $17.65/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.62/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 Clemson 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 Clemson
In assessing part-time earnings, a pharmacy technician working three days a week for a total of 24 hours would take home around $22,783 annually, significantly less than a full-time technician's salary. Many techs opt for per-diem positions that typically pay between $20 and $32 per hour, with specialized roles in hospital sterile compounding fetching even higher rates of $25 to $40. For example, travel pharmacy technician contracts, which can offer between $1,200 to $1,800 weekly, are particularly appealing in areas experiencing staffing shortages. Hourly compensation varies by employer type in Clemson; while large retail chains like CVS and Walgreens tend to offer lower hourly rates, hospital pharmacies and specialty facilities often provide more competitive compensation. Understanding the trade-offs is crucial, as some technicians may accept lower pay for health benefits, whereas others prefer higher pay rates without the burden of insurance. Effective negotiation strategies, such as highlighting certifications from PTCB or NHA ExCPT and leveraging experience in high-demand areas like USP <797> or <800> compliance, can help maximize earnings in this evolving market.
More salary data for Clemson, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Clemson in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Clemson. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Clemson is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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