Pharmacy Tech Pay

Birmingham vs Gadsden: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Birmingham, AL and Gadsden, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$40,805
$19.62/hr
Gadsden, AL
$38,802
$18.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALGadsden, AL
Median Salary$40,805$38,802
Hourly Rate$19.62$18.65
Entry Level (P10)$36,651$32,845
25th Percentile$39,498$37,083
75th Percentile$48,755$47,321
Top Earner (P90)$52,140$50,590
Total Employed2,540160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($40,805) and Gadsden ($38,802) pharmacy technician salaries.BirminghamGadsdenMedian Salary$40,805$38,802Entry Level (P10)$36,651$32,845Top Earner (P90)$52,140$50,590US Median $48,239

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Gadsden.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Gadsden is $2,003 (5.16%). Birmingham's median is -15.41% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $15,489,Gadsden spans $17,745. Gadsden has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$36,651
P25$39,498
Median$40,805
P75$48,755
P90 (Top)$52,140
Gadsden
P10 (Entry)$32,845
P25$37,083
Median$38,802
P75$47,321
P90 (Top)$50,590

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gadsden ($45,301 effective) pays 1.74% more than Birmingham ($44,526 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $40,805
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $44,526
Gadsden
Nominal: $38,802
CoL Index: 85.653
Adjusted: $45,301

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,805/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($52,140)
  • Larger job market (2,540 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Gadsden if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,301)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Birmingham grew 27.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.1% growth in Gadsden over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+27.1%

$30,450 (2019) → $38,700 (2025)

Gadsden, AL

+30.1%

$28,280 (2019) → $36,800 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Birmingham or Gadsden?

Birmingham has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $40,805/year, compared to Gadsden at $38,802/year — a difference of $2,003 (5.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Gadsden?

Birmingham pharmacy technicians earn $19.62/hr while Gadsden hygienists earn $18.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Gadsden as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Gadsden. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $44,526, Gadsden = $45,301), job availability (2,540 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Birmingham vs Gadsden?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $36,651 in Birmingham and $32,845 in Gadsden. The Birmingham area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD

Career Analyst

Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov