Pharmacy Tech Pay

Charlotte vs Matthews: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Charlotte, NC and Matthews, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$48,734
$23.43/hr
Matthews, NC
$46,830
$22.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCMatthews, NC
Median Salary$48,734$46,830
Hourly Rate$23.43$22.51
Entry Level (P10)$38,211$37,531
25th Percentile$39,835$38,775
75th Percentile$51,898$49,628
Top Earner (P90)$62,062$59,012
Total Employed3,9708
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($48,734) and Matthews ($46,830) pharmacy technician salaries.CharlotteMatthewsMedian Salary$48,734$46,830Entry Level (P10)$38,211$37,531Top Earner (P90)$62,062$59,012US Median $48,239

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Matthews.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Matthews is $1,904 (4.07%). Charlotte's median is +1.03% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $23,851,Matthews spans $21,481. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$38,211
P25$39,835
Median$48,734
P75$51,898
P90 (Top)$62,062
Matthews
P10 (Entry)$37,531
P25$38,775
Median$46,830
P75$49,628
P90 (Top)$59,012

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($50,062 effective) pays 0.06% more than Matthews ($50,032 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $48,734
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $50,062
Matthews
Nominal: $46,830
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $50,032

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,734/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,062)
  • Larger job market (3,970 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,062)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Matthews if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Charlotte grew 43.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.3% growth in Matthews over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+43.4%

$32,230 (2019) → $46,220 (2025)

Matthews, NC

+26.3%

$35,159 (2024) → $44,414 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Charlotte or Matthews?

Charlotte has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $48,734/year, compared to Matthews at $46,830/year — a difference of $1,904 (4.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Matthews?

Charlotte pharmacy technicians earn $23.43/hr while Matthews hygienists earn $22.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Matthews as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Matthews. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $50,062, Matthews = $50,032), job availability (3,970 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Charlotte vs Matthews?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $38,211 in Charlotte and $37,531 in Matthews. The Charlotte area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov