Pharmacy Technician Salary in Hickory, NC
Pharmacy Technicians in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median $43,920 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,226 take-home, or $3,019 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacy technician salary in Hickory, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,090
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,723
- Medicare (1.45%)$637
- North Carolina income tax$1,244
- Take-home pay$36,226
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Pharmacy Technician pay by experience in Hickory, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,160 | $16.90 | $29,537 | $2,461 |
| 25th percentile | $37,420 | $17.99 | $31,263 | $2,605 |
| Median (50th) | $43,920 | $21.12 | $36,226 | $3,019 |
| 75th percentile | $47,610 | $22.89 | $39,044 | $3,254 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,070 | $24.55 | $41,686 | $3,474 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $43,920 buys in Hickory, NC
Prices in Hickory, NC are 11.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 40% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pharmacy technician's $36,226 take-home pay has the buying power of $40,940 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Hickory, NC 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
Hickory, NC ranks #25 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 |
| 25 | Hickory, NC | $43,920 | $36,226 | $40,940 |
*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
- Winston, NC — $45,770
- Greensboro, NC — $44,930
- Durham, NC — $47,350
- 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 Hickory, NC?
The median pharmacy technician salary in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $43,920 a year, or about $21.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,420 and $47,610.
What is a pharmacy technician’s take-home pay in Hickory, NC?
On the median $43,920 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $36,226 a year ($3,019 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,244 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Hickory, NC a good place to work as a pharmacy technician?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $45,750. Local prices are 11.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $40,940 would in a typical U.S. city. Hickory, NC ranks #25 of 167 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacy technician afford rent in Hickory, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Hickory, NC is $908 a month ($1,095 for two bedrooms) — 30% of a median pharmacy technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Hickory, NC
- Registered Nurse — $80,060
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $62,430