Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Columbus, OH: $22.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Columbus, OH runs $22.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,701 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 95.5, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,621 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Columbus, Ohio, earn a median hourly pay of $22.93, providing a solid wage compared to the national hourly median of $23.19. This rate reflects a diverse range of job settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV clean rooms, and specialty pharmacy compounding areas. For part-time workers, such as those clocking in three days a week, this translates into a reliable source of income, allowing for flexibility in balancing work with other commitments. Entry-level technicians can expect to earn around $18.30 per hour, while top earners in skilled positions, particularly in sterile compounding environments, can achieve rates as high as $31.31. This official data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, offers insight into the financial landscape for pharmacy technicians in Columbus.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.30 | $146.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.83 | $150.65 |
| Median (P50) | $22.93 | $183.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.89 | $199.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.31 | $250.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $22.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.93/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, OH can expect to earn approximately $47,701 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,520. With a cost-of-living index of 95.47 (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) | $917.33 | $3,975 | $47,701 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $550.40 | $2,385 | $28,621 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $366.93 | $1,590 | $19,080 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Columbus) | $22.93 |
| 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, OH earn a median of $47,701 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.12% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 10.50% above the Ohio state average of $43,168.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.93/hr = $28,621/year (purchasing power: $29,979).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,701/year (purchasing power: $49,965).
CoL index: 95.469 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+63.4%
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 | $14.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Columbus grew 47.0% from $14.80/hr (2019) to $21.75/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.18/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
Considering the earning potential for part-time and per-diem roles sheds light on the pharmacy technician pay dynamics in Columbus. For instance, a pharmacy technician working only 24 hours a week could realistically take home about $28,000 annually, which is a substantial difference from full-time earnings. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Columbus typically ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles, such as those in hospital sterile compounding, commanding rates between $25 and $40 per hour. Furthermore, travel pharmacy technicians filling a shortage can bill $1,200 to $1,800 weekly, making it a lucrative option for those willing to relocate for work. Different types of employers impact hourly wages significantly; retail chains like CVS and Walgreens offer competitive rates while hospital and specialty pharmacies tend to provide higher compensation. Pharmacy technicians often weigh the trade-off between slightly lower hourly pay for more secure positions with benefits versus higher rates in settings devoid of traditional benefits. Proactive negotiation can yield better hourly rates and conditions, particularly for skilled roles adhering to standards like USP <797> and <800>.
More salary data for Columbus, OH:
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