Pharmacy Tech Pay

Birmingham vs Pelham: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Birmingham, AL
$40,805
$19.62/hr
Pelham, AL
$38,394
$18.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALPelham, AL
Median Salary$40,805$38,394
Hourly Rate$19.62$18.46
Entry Level (P10)$36,651$32,881
25th Percentile$39,498$33,539
75th Percentile$48,755$40,768
Top Earner (P90)$52,140$47,855
Total Employed2,5404
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($40,805) and Pelham ($38,394) pharmacy technician salaries.BirminghamPelhamMedian Salary$40,805$38,394Entry Level (P10)$36,651$32,881Top Earner (P90)$52,140$47,855US Median $48,239

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Birmingham and Pelham is $2,411 (6.28%). 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,Pelham spans $14,974. Birmingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$36,651
P25$39,498
Median$40,805
P75$48,755
P90 (Top)$52,140
Pelham
P10 (Entry)$32,881
P25$33,539
Median$38,394
P75$40,768
P90 (Top)$47,855

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($44,526 effective) pays 1.94% more than Pelham ($43,679 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $40,805
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $44,526
Pelham
Nominal: $38,394
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $43,679

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,526)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Pelham if…

  • 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 31.7% growth in Pelham over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+27.1%

$30,450 (2019) → $38,700 (2025)

Pelham, AL

+31.7%

$27,638 (2024) → $36,413 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Birmingham or Pelham?

Birmingham has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $40,805/year, compared to Pelham at $38,394/year — a difference of $2,411 (6.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Pelham?

Birmingham pharmacy technicians earn $19.62/hr while Pelham hygienists earn $18.46/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Pelham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $44,526, Pelham = $43,679), job availability (2,540 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $36,651 in Birmingham and $32,881 in Pelham. The Birmingham area offers higher starting salaries.
ET

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