Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Huntington, WV: $19.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Huntington, WV runs $19.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,837 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Huntington's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,502 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Huntington, West Virginia, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $19.63. This figure is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $23.19, highlighting a wage disparity that reflects the local job market's conditions. For pharmacy technicians working part-time, such as those on a three-day work week, this rate translates to approximately $23,147 annually, a figure that may appeal to individuals who require flexibility. Given the diversity of roles within pharmacies—spanning retail counters, hospital sterile compounding areas, and specialty pharmacy environments—hourly compensation ranges from $15.74 for entry-level positions to around $25.23 for those at the high end of the pay scale. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.74 | $125.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.31 | $146.52 |
| Median (P50) | $19.63 | $157.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.85 | $182.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.23 | $201.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington
Based on $19.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.63/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington, WV can expect to earn approximately $40,836 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,560. With a cost-of-living index of 88.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $785.32 | $3,403 | $40,836 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $471.19 | $2,042 | $24,502 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $314.13 | $1,361 | $16,335 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Huntington) | $19.63 |
| 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 Huntington, WV earn a median of $40,837 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.34% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 1.10% above the West Virginia state average of $40,393.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.63/hr = $24,502/year (purchasing power: $27,710).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,836/year (purchasing power: $46,184).
CoL index: 88.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Huntington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Huntington grew 34.3% from $13.86/hr (2019) to $18.62/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.70/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 Huntington 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 Huntington
Exploring the earning potential for pharmacy technicians in Huntington reveals the advantages and downsides of various employment arrangements. Part-time professionals, who work 24 hours a week, earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, but enjoy greater flexibility. Per diem opportunities offer lucrative alternatives, with pay ranging from $20 to $32 per hour for general roles, and up to $40 per hour for hospital sterile compounding positions, attracting seasoned technicians seeking higher compensation without long-term commitments. Hourly rates also fluctuate depending on the employer type, with retail chains typically offering lower pay compared to hospitals and specialty pharmacies. Many technicians face a common dilemma—choosing between lower pay with health benefits or higher hourly wages with no benefits—particularly as wellness considerations shift post-pandemic. For those negotiating their rates, stressing relevant certifications such as PTCB or NHA ExCPT can provide leverage, especially when positioned against the backdrop of a 5.44% annual growth rate in the field.
More salary data for Huntington, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Huntington 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 Huntington. 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