Pharmacy Technician Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $49,098 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $49,098/year (≈ $23.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $52,455 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winston-Salem, NC, pharmacy technicians can expect a projected median annual salary of $49,098 in 2026. This figure reflects a solid upward trend compared to national earnings, with the local salary range spanning from $35,580 at the lower end (P10) to $67,525 for those earning at the high end (P90). These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost disparities. Notably, individuals holding a CSPT credential for sterile compounding can access a premium in pay, often positioning themselves at the higher end of this spectrum. With a growing need for pharmacy technicians, the local job market offers promising opportunities, especially for those who invest in specialized training and certifications.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,580 | $17.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,333 | $18.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,098 | $23.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,459 | $26.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,525 | $32.46 |
Median Salary Position
1.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,945 (2026 est.). At $49,098, the local median is 1.78% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $49,098/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $47,392 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +1.78% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $49,098 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.78% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $47,392.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $49,098 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,455 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,555
2025 BLS Actual
$46,565
2026 Current Est.
$49,098
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,555 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,725 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,394 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,018 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,862 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,565 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,098 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,769 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $34,555 (2019) to $46,565 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,769 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,214 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,580 – $38,333 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,333 – $49,098 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,098 – $54,459 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,459 – $67,525 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem currently employs 59 pharmacy technicians, indicating a robust market for this profession. The city’s cost-of-living index stands at 93.6, suggesting that local salaries may provide substantial purchasing power, allowing technicians a comfortable lifestyle compared to higher-cost regions. Among the various employers in the area, hospital pharmacies typically offer the highest pay, particularly for those in sterile compounding roles. Specialty and long-term care pharmacies may also provide competitive wages. Factors influencing the wide salary range include the setting of employment, certifications, shift differentials, and the distinct pay scales between retail chains and hospital jobs. For those seeking to maximize their pharmacy technician pay in Winston-Salem, pursuing the CSPT credential and seeking employment in high-demand areas like hospitals or specialty pharmacies may be key strategies for advancing their careers.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Winston-Salem?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacy technician salary in Winston-Salem?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $46,565 for pharmacy techniciansin the Winston-Salem metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Winston-Salem 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