Pharmacy Technician Salary in Durham, NC
Pharmacy Technicians in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $47,350 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,845 take-home, or $3,237 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacy technician salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,502
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,936
- Medicare (1.45%)$687
- North Carolina income tax$1,381
- Take-home pay$38,845
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Pharmacy Technician pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,110 | $18.32 | $31,790 | $2,649 |
| 25th percentile | $41,040 | $19.73 | $34,027 | $2,836 |
| Median (50th) | $47,350 | $22.76 | $38,845 | $3,237 |
| 75th percentile | $53,550 | $25.75 | $43,580 | $3,632 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,130 | $28.43 | $47,840 | $3,987 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,350 buys in Durham, NC
Prices in Durham, NC are 2.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pharmacy technician's $38,845 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,812 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Durham, NC has 1.3× 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
Durham, NC ranks #51 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 |
| 51 | Durham, NC | $47,350 | $38,845 | $39,812 |
*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 North Carolina
- Fayetteville, NC — $46,490
- Hickory, NC — $43,920
- Winston, NC — $45,770
- Greensboro, NC — $44,930
- Charlotte, NC — $46,220
- Raleigh, NC — $46,130
- Asheville, NC — $45,160
- Wilmington, NC — $44,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacy technician make in Durham, NC?
The median pharmacy technician salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $47,350 a year, or about $22.76 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $41,040 and $53,550.
What is a pharmacy technician’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $47,350 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $38,845 a year ($3,237 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,381 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a pharmacy technician?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $45,750. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,812 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #51 of 167 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacy technician afford rent in Durham, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Durham, NC is $1,456 a month ($1,660 for two bedrooms) — 45% of a median pharmacy technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Pharmacist — $141,360
- Physician Assistant — $132,670
- Nurse Practitioner — $132,300
- Physical Therapist — $100,240
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $80,430
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $66,950
- Medical Records Specialist — $57,290
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $54,610