Pharmacy Technician salary in Columbia, SC
Pharmacy Technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $39,170 a year ($18.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,780 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $45,750. Pay here is 7% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $42,120. There are 3.7 pharmacy technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pharmacy technicians in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,870 | $17.25 |
| 25th percentile | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Median | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| 75th percentile | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,780 | $25.37 |
| Average (mean) | $42,210 | $20.29 |
Half of pharmacy technicians 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 | $3,264.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,632.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,506.54 |
| Weekly | $753.27 |
| Hourly | $18.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacy Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $46,220 | 3,970 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $45,690 | 1,420 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $45,590 | 1,270 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $44,550 | 880 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $43,840 | 630 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $40,370 | 290 |
| Florence, SC | $39,350 | 460 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $38,860 | 570 |
| Sumter, SC | $38,820 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacy technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $58,900 |
| California | $55,110 |
| Oregon | $54,900 |
| Alaska | $52,640 |
| Colorado | $49,970 |
| Montana | $49,400 |
| Minnesota | $48,300 |
| Wyoming | $48,260 |
| Utah | $48,140 |
| Nevada | $47,980 |
See Pharmacy Technician pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Paramedic | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Surgical Technologist | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $84,440 | $40.60 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $65,590 | $31.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2052. 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 technician make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for pharmacy technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area is $39,170 a year, or $18.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacy technicians make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of pharmacy technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $52,780 a year. The top 25% earn $46,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacy technicians in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,870 a year, and a quarter of pharmacy technicians earn $36,630 or less.
How many pharmacy technicians work in Columbia, SC?
About 1,470 pharmacy technicians are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.