Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Fairmont, WV: $18.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Fairmont, WV runs $18.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,599 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Fairmont's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,554 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fairmont, WV, the pharmacy technician hourly pay averages $18.07, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national median of $23.19. This rate is crucial for part-time and per-diem workers—particularly those who work in various settings like retail pharmacy counters or hospital sterile compounding environments, where compliance with USP <797> and <800> is essential. Entry-level pharmacy technicians can expect to earn around $15.67 per hour, while top earners, particularly those working in specialized roles, can command as much as $22.79. This hourly rate is directly estimated from annual figures, indicating that for those newly entering the field or working flexible hours per diem, the financial expectation needs clear understanding and planning.
About the Fairmont Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.67 | $125.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.98 | $127.88 |
| Median (P50) | $18.07 | $144.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.30 | $154.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.79 | $182.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairmont
Based on $18.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.07/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairmont, WV can expect to earn approximately $37,591 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,687. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fairmont.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairmont
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $722.90 | $3,133 | $37,591 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $433.74 | $1,880 | $22,554 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $289.16 | $1,253 | $15,036 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Fairmont) | $18.07 |
| 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 Fairmont, WV earn a median of $37,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.06% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 6.90% below the West Virginia state average of $40,385.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.07/hr = $22,554/year (purchasing power: $26,074).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,591/year (purchasing power: $43,457).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Fairmont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $12.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Fairmont grew 34.8% from $12.72/hr (2019) to $17.14/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.06/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 Fairmont 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 Fairmont
Exploring the income potential further, a pharmacy technician working a 3-day week, logging 24 hours, could anticipate earnings of approximately $18,916 annually, standing in stark contrast to full-time technicians earning significantly more. Many per-diem pharmacy technicians in Fairmont may find themselves billing $20-$32 per hour, specifically in critical roles like sterile compounding—where compensation can rise further for those in high-demand areas, such as travel contracts that might yield $1,200-$1,800 per week. Employers vary widely in their offerings, influencing hourly rates: retail chains like CVS and Walgreens typically pay less than hospital pharmacies. While some pharmacy technicians opt for higher hourly wages without benefits in retail, others prefer stable employment in hospitals, where health insurance may lead to a slightly lower pay scale. Those negotiating their hourly rate should approach discussions armed with knowledge of the local market and industry standards, ensuring all compensation aligns with Fairmont's competitive landscape.
More salary data for Fairmont, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Fairmont in 2026?
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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 Fairmont. 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 Fairmont 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