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Pharmacy Aides Salary in North Carolina: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Pharmacy Aides salary really buy you in North Carolina?

North Carolina is 5.8% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$35,530
Median annual (2025)
+6.2%
Real Purchasing Power
$37,717
COL-adjusted (RPP=94.2)

North Carolina Cost of Living Index

North Carolina's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 94.2, meaning prices are 5.8% lower the national average. A Pharmacy Aides earning $35,530 in North Carolina has the equivalent purchasing power of $37,717 in an average-cost US state.

NC: 94.2
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $25,710 $27,292 +$1,582
25th Percentile (P25) $33,970 $36,061 +$2,091
Median (P50) $35,530 $37,717 +$2,187
75th Percentile (P75) $37,840 $40,169 +$2,329
90th Percentile (P90) $43,660 $46,348 +$2,688
Key Insight

A Pharmacy Aides in North Carolina earns $35,530 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 6% further — like earning $37,717 in an average-cost state. This makes North Carolina one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

North Carolina Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 94.2

With an RPP of 94.2, North Carolina is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Pharmacy Aides is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+6.2%

After applying North Carolina's RPP, the $35,530 median salary translates to $37,718 in real terms — a 6.2% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Pharmacy Aides.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#27 / 48

North Carolina's rank of #27 of 48 states means real purchasing power for Pharmacy Aides trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Pharmacy Aides (After Cost of Living)

Where does Pharmacy Aides salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Utah
$54,603
RPP 94.5
$51,423
RPP 116.6
3. Arizona
$43,403
RPP 99.9
$42,563
RPP 86.6
5. Hawaii
$41,741
RPP 110.8
$41,514
RPP 91.1
7. Alabama
$41,298
RPP 87.8
8. Montana
$41,129
RPP 90.3
$41,083
RPP 109.8
$41,056
RPP 88.0

North Carolina ranks #27 out of 48 states for Pharmacy Aides after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Pharmacy Aides take-home pay in North Carolina after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Pharmacy Aides in North Carolina after cost of living?

A Pharmacy Aides in North Carolina earns a median salary of $35,530 per year. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (RPP=94.2), the real purchasing power is $37,717 — a +6.2% difference.

Is North Carolina expensive to live in?

North Carolina's cost of living is 5.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for North Carolina is 94.2 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Pharmacy Aides in North Carolina: $35,530 x (100 / 94.2) = $37,717. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Pharmacy Aides in North Carolina financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Pharmacy Aides in North Carolina enjoys 6.2% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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