Pharmacy Aide salary in Columbia, SC
Pharmacy Aides in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $35,570 a year ($17.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,070 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $37,680. Pay here is 2% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $36,140. There are 0.25 pharmacy aides per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pharmacy aides in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,080 | $16.39 |
| 25th percentile | $34,770 | $16.72 |
| Median | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| 75th percentile | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,070 | $20.22 |
| Average (mean) | $37,290 | $17.93 |
Half of pharmacy aides earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,964.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,482.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,368.08 |
| Weekly | $684.04 |
| Hourly | $17.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacy Aide salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $36,290 | 90 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $35,550 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $35,540 | 300 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $34,640 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacy aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,960 |
| Utah | $51,600 |
| Hawaii | $46,250 |
| Washington | $45,110 |
| Arizona | $43,360 |
| California | $42,200 |
| Oregon | $40,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,470 |
| Nevada | $39,080 |
| Texas | $38,630 |
See Pharmacy Aide pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $40,680 | $19.56 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Phlebotomist | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,310 | $28.51 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,210 | $14.53 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $74,330 | $35.74 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,740 | $17.18 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9095. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacy aide make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for pharmacy aides in the Columbia, SC metro area is $35,570 a year, or $17.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacy aides make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of pharmacy aides in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $42,070 a year. The top 25% earn $37,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacy aides in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,080 a year, and a quarter of pharmacy aides earn $34,770 or less.
How many pharmacy aides work in Columbia, SC?
About 100 pharmacy aides are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.