2024 Pharmacy Technician Salary in Alabama
If you are an aspiring pharmacy technician and looking to work in Alabama, then first of all you should complete your pharmacy training program from any of the ASHP Accredited Pharmacy Technician Schools in Alabama and then get your PTCB certification. Once you complete your pharmacy technician education, then your second step should be toward deciding your job location. Huntsville, Birmingham-Hoover, Mobile and Montgomery are among the top paying cities in AL, whereas Dothan, Florence-Muscle Shoals and Gadsden area pays the lowest amongst all. Your third step should be towards deciding on the most suitable industry to work for; notwithstanding, hospitals in Alabama pay the highest annual salary in the state. On an average, pharmacy technicians’ salary in Alabama is $32,620 per annum. According to BLS, Alabama is expected to hire over 580 pharmacy technicians every year until 2028, providing you with ample opportunities to establish your career in the state of Alabama.
Pharmacy Technician Average Salary in Alabama
Depending on your PTCB certification, job location and work industry, your income may vary, however you can expect to earn an average salary of $32,620 per annum in Alabama. If you consider working as a part time pharmacy technician, you can make an average hourly wage of $15.68.
| Type | Average Salary |
| Hourly Wage | $15.68 |
| Monthly Salary | $2,720 |
| Annual Salary | $32,620 |
Pharmacy Technician Salary by Experience in AL
Your working experience as a pharmacy technician can play an important salary-deciding factor. In Alabama, an entry level pharmacy technician earns $23,020 per annum, within five years of working adds around $5,000 more to the annual salary of a pharmacy technician. AL gives consistent raise in the annual salaries of pharmacy technicians based on their experience. A 20+ years of experienced pharmacy technician in AL earns an annual income of $38,830.
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Annual |
| Less than 1 year (Starting) | $11.07 | $23,020 |
| 1-4 years | $13.86 | $28,830 |
| 5-9 years | $14.44 | $30,030 |
| 10-19 years | $17.63 | $36,680 |
| 20 years or more | $18.67 | $38,830 |
Total Number of PTCB Certified Pharmacy Techs in Alabama: 4417
Out of 8,080 pharmacy technicians in Alabama, there are around 4417 PTCB certified pharmacy techs. The biggest advantage of having a PTCB Certification is that you will be a preferred candidate for the job of pharmacy technician and mostly likely bring home a better pay scale than that compared to a non-certified pharmacy tech.
Salary Growth (2017-2021)
Alabama has always shown a positive salary growth for the pharmacy technicians working in the state. In 2017 and 2018, the annual salary of AL pharmacy technician grew at 4.66% and 2.98% respectively, whereas in 2020, salary growth rate was 0.49%. Overall, in last five years, salaries of pharmacy technicians in Alabama grew by over 17.04%.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth |
| 2017 | $29,170 | 4.66% |
| 2018 | $30,040 | 2.98% |
| 2019 | $30,830 | 2.63% |
| 2020 | $30,980 | 0.49% |
| 2021 | $32,620 | 5.29% |
| Total | $4,750 | 17.04% |
Employment Growth (2017-2021)
In 2017, there were 7,340 pharmacy technicians working in Alabama, representing a negative employment growth of 0.69% in that year. Thereafter, Alabama continuously started to reduce the rate at which pharmacy technicians were employed. In 2018, it was down to -2.72%, to becoming negative in 2019 at 4.90% and remained flat in 2020.
| Year | Employment | Growth |
| 2017 | 7,340 | 0.69% |
| 2018 | 7,140 | -2.72% |
| 2019 | 6,790 | -4.90% |
| 2020 | 6,790 | 0.00% |
| 2021 | 8,080 | 19.00% |
| Total | 790 | 10.84% |
Industry Wise Salary and Employment (2021)
The largest numbers of 4,030 pharmacy technicians are employed at the retail pharmacies in Alabama, paying an annual salary of $30,270 whereas the least number of 290 pharmacy technicians are working in department stores in AL, at a pay scale of $33,460 per annum. Alabama hospitals employ over 1,240 pharmacy technicians and pay the highest annual salary of $37,190 among all healthcare industries.
| Industry | Employment | Hourly Salary | Annual Salary |
| Retail Pharmacies | 4,030 | $14.55 | $30,270 |
| Hospitals | 1,240 | $17.88 | $37,190 |
| Grocery Stores | 770 | $14.17 | $29,470 |
| Other General Merchandise Stores | 720 | $16.24 | $33,780 |
| Department Stores | 290 | $16.09 | $33,460 |
Alabama City Wise Salary and Employment (2021)
While hunting for a pharmacy technician job in Alabama, you should be very specific about the city in which you decide to work. In order to get the best salary, you should consider AL cities like Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery which pay over $32,000 per annum. If you are an entry level pharmacy technician, then Huntsville will pay you $29,130, whereas if you work in Florence-Muscle Shoals area, you will get only $22,210 per annum. Birmingham-Hoover region employ the largest number of 2,290 pharmacy techs and pay an annual salary of $32,730.
| Area Name | Employment | Hourly | Annual | Starting Salary | Experienced Salary |
| Birmingham-Hoover | 2,290 | $15.74 | $32,730 | $22,980 | $38,600 |
| Huntsville | 840 | $16.99 | $35,340 | $29,130 | $46,150 |
| Montgomery | 680 | $15.98 | $33,230 | $27,160 | $43,350 |
| Mobile | 620 | $16.34 | $33,980 | $28,860 | $37,680 |
| Tuscaloosa | 430 | $15.75 | $32,760 | $23,010 | $38,150 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | 290 | $15.79 | $32,850 | $28,320 | $37,520 |
| Dothan | 260 | $14.72 | $30,620 | $22,850 | $36,420 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | 250 | $15.05 | $31,290 | $22,210 | $36,450 |
| Auburn-Opelika | 220 | $15.51 | $32,260 | $23,080 | $37,310 |
| Decatur | 220 | $15.66 | $32,570 | $23,050 | $37,400 |
| Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville | 200 | $15.32 | $31,860 | $22,620 | $36,650 |
| Gadsden | 170 | $14.98 | $31,150 | $22,440 | $36,450 |
Pharmacy Tech Job Outlook in AL (2020-2030)
Alabama provides wonderful job opportunities for the aspiring pharmacy technicians. For next eight years, it is expected that Alabama will open 580 vacancies every year for the position of pharmacy technician, representing estimated employment growth of 10.96% which is over 6% higher than the national average. Walgreens, Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, CVS Health Retail and many other top healthcare units are going to cater the medical needs of Alabama, for which efficient pharmacy technicians will be employed at larger numbers.
| 2020 Employment | 2030 Employment | Percent Change | Projected Annual Job Openings | |
| Alabama | 6,840 | 7,590 | 10.96% | 580 |
| United States | 447,300 | 469,700 | 5.01% | 43,500 |
Pharmacy Technician Alabama VS Pharmacy Technician National
Alabama pharmacy technicians earn an average salary of $32,620 per annum which is over 14.09% lower than the national average at $37,970.
| Type | Alabama Salary | US Salary | Difference | % Difference |
| Hourly Wage | $15.68 | $18.25 | -2.57 | -14.09% |
| Monthly Salary | $2,720 | $3,160 | -440 | -13.92% |
| Annual Salary | $32,620 | $37,970 | -5,350 | -14.09% |
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