Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Charleston, WV: $19.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Charleston, WV runs $19.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,993 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.7, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,002 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technician hourly pay in Charleston, West Virginia, stands at a median rate of $19.23 per hour, significantly lower than the national median of $23.19 per hour. This wage reflects the local demand for pharmacy technicians, who typically work in various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospitals, and compounding facilities. For part-time workers, such as those on a three-day-a-week schedule, this translates into an income that can be both stable and supportive, offering around $1,078 monthly before taxes. Furthermore, prospective pharmacy technicians can expect hourly earnings to range from $15.59 at the entry-level to $24.39 among the most experienced, providing a pathway for salary growth as they become increasingly skilled and certified, especially with credentials like the PTCB or NHA ExCPT.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.59 | $124.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.34 | $146.69 |
| Median (P50) | $19.23 | $153.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.52 | $180.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.39 | $195.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $19.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.23/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, WV can expect to earn approximately $40,003 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,079. With a cost-of-living index of 88.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $769.29 | $3,334 | $40,003 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $461.57 | $2,000 | $24,002 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $307.72 | $1,333 | $16,001 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Charleston) | $19.23 |
| 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 Charleston, WV earn a median of $39,993 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.09% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.00% below the West Virginia state average of $40,397.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.23/hr = $24,002/year (purchasing power: $27,054).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,003/year (purchasing power: $45,091).
CoL index: 88.717 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Charleston grew 32.8% from $13.73/hr (2019) to $18.24/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.28/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
When considering the earning potential for part-time positions, a pharmacy technician working fifteen hours a week can take home roughly $14,703 annually, considerably less than full-time counterparts. Per-diem pharmacy technicians can bill rates between $20 and $32 per hour, and those working in hospital sterile compounding roles might earn as much as $40 per hour. Various employers such as retail chains, hospitals, and specialty pharmacies generally offer differing compensations, with retail pharmacies often paying less while providing benefits. Some technicians might opt for lower hourly rates at retail pharmacies in exchange for health insurance. Those engaged in per-diem roles often have to negotiate based on experience and demand, which can be especially advantageous in Charleston, where pharmacy technician hourly pay is influenced by local market dynamics and the acute need for staff in hospitals and specialty settings.
More salary data for Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Charleston in 2026?
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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 Charleston. 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