Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Columbus, GA: $20.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Columbus, GA runs $20.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,566 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,541 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbus, Georgia, pharmacy technicians earn a median hourly pay of $20.47, which is notably lower than the national median hourly wage of $23.19. This difference can be significant for part-time pharmacy technicians working three days a week, who typically earn about $491 weekly before taxes, allowing flexibility while still generating meaningful income. For per-diem workers, the pay can fluctuate based on the setting, with those operating in retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV clean rooms, or specialty compounding areas having an hourly range from $15.56 for entry-level positions to as much as $30.10 for top earners. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 data projected to 2026, reflect the various roles these technicians fulfill across diverse pharmacy environments.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.56 | $124.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.77 | $142.13 |
| Median (P50) | $20.47 | $163.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.24 | $193.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.10 | $240.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $20.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.47/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, GA can expect to earn approximately $42,569 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,559. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $818.64 | $3,547 | $42,569 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $491.18 | $2,128 | $25,541 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $327.45 | $1,419 | $17,028 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Columbus) | $20.47 |
| 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 Columbus, GA earn a median of $42,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.76% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.50% below the Georgia state average of $43,214.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.47/hr = $25,541/year (purchasing power: $28,603).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,569/year (purchasing power: $47,672).
CoL index: 89.296 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Columbus grew 35.4% from $14.34/hr (2019) to $19.41/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.58/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
For pharmacy technicians in 2026, working part-time can yield approximately $25,532 annually, a stark contrast to the earnings of full-time staff, which often receive additional benefits. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Columbus can vary widely, with workers typically earning between $20 and $32 per hour, including opportunities for higher rates in critical roles like hospital sterile compounding, where per diem temps might command $25 to $40 an hour, or even higher for travel contracts. Different settings also offer varying wages; for instance, pharmacy technicians in retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens may have lower rates compared to those in hospital pharmacy environments or specialized mail-order operations. It's essential for individuals in this field to weigh their hourly wages against benefits packages when considering employment offers. Additionally, negotiation strategies can favor those seeking competitive rates, particularly in urban markets like Columbus where there is ongoing demand for skilled technicians.
More salary data for Columbus, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Columbus 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 Columbus. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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