Pharmacy Technician Salary in Columbia, SC
Pharmacy Technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median $39,170 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,460 take-home, or $2,705 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacy technician salary in Columbia, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,520
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,429
- Medicare (1.45%)$568
- South Carolina income tax$1,193
- Take-home pay$32,460
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Pharmacy Technician pay by experience in Columbia, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,870 | $17.25 | $30,006 | $2,501 |
| 25th percentile | $36,630 | $17.61 | $30,572 | $2,548 |
| Median (50th) | $39,170 | $18.83 | $32,460 | $2,705 |
| 75th percentile | $46,920 | $22.56 | $38,222 | $3,185 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,780 | $25.38 | $42,579 | $3,548 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,170 buys in Columbia, SC
Prices in Columbia, SC are 6.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pharmacy technician's $32,460 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,657 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbia, SC has 1.2× the national concentration of pharmacy technician jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for pharmacy technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, SC ranks #151 of 167 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $75,490 | $58,129 | $52,642 |
| 2 | Spokane, WA | $57,830 | $48,646 | $48,479 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $61,320 | $51,451 | $46,296 |
| 4 | Killeen, TX | $47,400 | $40,266 | $44,184 |
| 5 | Shreveport, LA | $44,890 | $37,289 | $43,990 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $58,470 | $46,843 | $43,914 |
| 7 | Vallejo, CA | $58,670 | $46,989 | $43,316 |
| 8 | Sioux Falls, SD | $45,610 | $38,828 | $42,841 |
| 151 | Columbia, SC | $39,170 | $32,460 | $34,657 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 167 metros →
Pharmacy Technician salaries elsewhere in South Carolina
- Greenville, SC — $45,590
- Spartanburg, SC — $43,840
- Florence, SC — $39,350
- Charleston, SC — $45,690
- Myrtle Beach, SC — $38,860
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacy technician make in Columbia, SC?
The median pharmacy technician salary in the Columbia, SC metro area is $39,170 a year, or about $18.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,630 and $46,920.
What is a pharmacy technician’s take-home pay in Columbia, SC?
On the median $39,170 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $32,460 a year ($2,705 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,193 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a pharmacy technician?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $45,750. Local prices are 6.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,657 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, SC ranks #151 of 167 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacy technician afford rent in Columbia, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbia, SC is $1,139 a month ($1,255 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median pharmacy technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $228,820
- Pharmacist — $133,850
- Nurse Practitioner — $118,470
- Physical Therapist — $99,840
- Dental Hygienist — $82,370
- Registered Nurse — $81,920
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $74,080
- Medical Records Specialist — $62,650
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $62,110
- Surgical Technologist — $61,230
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $55,280