Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Suffolk, VA: $21.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Suffolk, VA runs $21.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,388 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Suffolk's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,239 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Suffolk, Virginia, pharmacy technicians earn a median hourly wage of $21.83, which is slightly below the national median of $23.19. This hourly rate reflects the varied experiences and environments that pharmacy technicians may find themselves in, whether working in a bustling retail pharmacy, a hospital pharmacy IV clean room, or fulfilling prescriptions in a mail-order setup. For part-time or per-diem workers operating three days a week, this translates to a steady income, while entry-level technicians may start around $17.89 per hour, climbing to about $30.13 per hour for those with significant experience and expertise. The hourly pay structure is derived from annual salary estimates and highlights the competitive landscape within pharmacy roles across the region.
About the Suffolk Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.89 | $143.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.42 | $147.36 |
| Median (P50) | $21.83 | $174.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.31 | $186.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.13 | $241.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Suffolk
Based on $21.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.83/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Suffolk, VA can expect to earn approximately $45,398 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,191. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Suffolk.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Suffolk
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $873.04 | $3,783 | $45,398 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $523.83 | $2,270 | $27,239 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $349.22 | $1,513 | $18,159 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Suffolk) | $21.83 |
| 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 Suffolk, VA earn a median of $45,388 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.91% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.70% below the Virginia state average of $46,173.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.83/hr = $27,239/year (purchasing power: $26,394).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,398/year (purchasing power: $43,991).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$15.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Suffolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Suffolk grew 34.8% from $15.36/hr (2019) to $20.70/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.01/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 Suffolk 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 Suffolk
For those contemplating part-time work as a pharmacy technician in Suffolk, a 24-hour workweek could yield over $27,000 annually, a reasonable income compared to full-time positions. Moreover, the world of per-diem pharmacy technician pay varies widely; while some bill between $20 and $32 per hour, specialized roles, particularly in hospital sterile compounding, can command rates from $25 to $40 per hour. For travel pharmacy tech contracts, weekly earnings can range from $1,200 to $1,800, especially in high-demand areas. Pharmacy technicians in Suffolk may find that hourly wages differ significantly across various employers, spanning retail giants like CVS and Walgreens to specialized facilities like long-term care pharmacies and compounding labs. While some choose lower-paying positions for the benefits associated with them, others pursue higher hourly rates without these perks. Skillful negotiation can enhance hourly pay or lead to more favorable working conditions in this increasingly competitive job market.
More salary data for Suffolk, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Suffolk 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 Suffolk. 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 Suffolk 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