Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Bluffton, SC: $20.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Bluffton, SC runs $20.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,757 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Bluffton's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,055 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bluffton, South Carolina, pharmacy technicians can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $20.08, which is slightly below the national median of $23.19. This rate reflects the competitive nature of pharmacy technician hourly pay in Bluffton, where technicians often work in various environments such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, and specialty compounding facilities. For part-time workers on a typical schedule of three days per week, the hourly pay provides a reasonable income, allowing for flexibility while still benefiting from valuable experience. Entry-level pharmacy technicians in Bluffton can start at around $16.56 per hour, while more seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $26.42 per hour, demonstrating the potential for growth within this dynamic field.
About the Bluffton Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($37,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.56 | $132.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.91 | $135.30 |
| Median (P50) | $20.08 | $160.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.03 | $176.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.42 | $211.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bluffton
Based on $20.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.08/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bluffton, SC can expect to earn approximately $41,758 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,091. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bluffton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bluffton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $803.03 | $3,480 | $41,758 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $481.82 | $2,088 | $25,055 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $321.21 | $1,392 | $16,703 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Bluffton) | $20.08 |
| 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 Bluffton, SC earn a median of $41,757 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.44% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 0.60% below the South Carolina state average of $42,009.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.08/hr = $25,055/year (purchasing power: $27,382).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,758/year (purchasing power: $45,637).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Bluffton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Bluffton grew 34.8% from $14.13/hr (2019) to $19.04/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.17/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 Bluffton 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 Bluffton
Analyzing the earning potential for pharmacy technicians reveals several pathways, especially for those considering part-time or per-diem positions. A pharmacy technician working a 24-hour week would take home approximately $25,050 annually, a contrast to full-time technicians who see higher overall compensation. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Bluffton typically falls between $20 and $32 per hour, with specialized roles in sterile compounding earning between $25 and $40 per hour, reflecting the heightened demands of compliance under USP <797> and <800>. The variance in hourly rates can significantly influence job preference; some technicians may opt for lower-paying roles that offer health benefits, while others might prefer higher rates without benefits for their flexibility. Understanding these dynamics, especially across different employers—such as retail chains and specialty pharmacies—can empower pharmacy technicians to negotiate more effectively based on their priorities.
More salary data for Bluffton, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Bluffton. 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 Bluffton 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