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

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

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

South Carolina is 6.4% cheaper than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$36,140
Median annual (2025)
+6.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$38,611
COL-adjusted (RPP=93.6)

South Carolina Cost of Living Index

South Carolina's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 93.6, meaning prices are 6.4% lower the national average. A Pharmacy Aides earning $36,140 in South Carolina has the equivalent purchasing power of $38,611 in an average-cost US state.

SC: 93.6
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 South Carolina's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $33,820 $36,132 +$2,312
25th Percentile (P25) $34,770 $37,147 +$2,377
Median (P50) $36,140 $38,611 +$2,471
75th Percentile (P75) $38,000 $40,598 +$2,598
90th Percentile (P90) $48,640 $51,965 +$3,325
Key Insight

A Pharmacy Aides in South Carolina earns $36,140 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 7% further — like earning $38,611 in an average-cost state. This makes South Carolina one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

South Carolina Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 93.6

With an RPP of 93.6, South 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

+6.8%

After applying South Carolina's RPP, the $36,140 median salary translates to $38,611 in real terms — a 6.8% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Pharmacy Aides.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#23 / 48

South Carolina sits at #23 of 48 states for Pharmacy Aides COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

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

South Carolina ranks #23 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 South Carolina after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Pharmacy Aides in South Carolina earns a median salary of $36,140 per year. After adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living (RPP=93.6), the real purchasing power is $38,611 — a +6.8% difference.

Is South Carolina expensive to live in?

South Carolina's cost of living is 6.4% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for South Carolina is 93.6 (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 South Carolina: $36,140 x (100 / 93.6) = $38,611. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

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

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Pharmacy Aides in South Carolina enjoys 6.8% 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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