Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Decatur, AL: $22.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Decatur, AL runs $22.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,782 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,476 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, pharmacy technicians can expect a competitive median hourly pay of $22.02, falling slightly below the national median of $23.19. This rate offers a solid income for those working in traditional settings, such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, or mail-order operations. For pharmacy technicians on part-time schedules—such as three days a week—their earnings can effectively support their financial needs while allowing flexibility. Entry-level techs may start around $14.55 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $25.37 per hour in some high-demand settings, reflecting the variability based on skills, experience, and employer type. This data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a reliable outlook for the profession's pay structure.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.55 | $116.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.66 | $149.30 |
| Median (P50) | $22.02 | $176.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.69 | $189.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.37 | $202.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $22.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.02/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, AL can expect to earn approximately $45,793 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,419. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $880.63 | $3,816 | $45,793 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $528.38 | $2,290 | $27,476 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $352.25 | $1,526 | $18,317 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Decatur) | $22.02 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Decatur, AL earn a median of $45,782 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.09% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 10.30% above the Alabama state average of $41,507.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.02/hr = $27,476/year (purchasing power: $31,505).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,793/year (purchasing power: $52,508).
CoL index: 87.212 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+60.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Decatur grew 44.2% from $14.48/hr (2019) to $20.88/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.21/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Decatur
Expectations for earnings can significantly differ based on work arrangements and employer types within Decatur. For instance, a pharmacy technician working part-time, dedicating 24 hours a week, may take home around $27,475 annually, which contrasts starkly with full-time technicians who average greater returns through a standard 40-hour workweek. Per diem opportunities in this field can yield rates ranging from $20 to $32 per hour, particularly in sterile compounding roles, where demand is high. Travel contracts for pharmacy technicians can also present lucrative options, offering between $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. It's crucial for pharmacy techs to consider employer types when evaluating their hourly pay; retail chains often provide varied compensation compared to hospitals or specialty pharmacies, which may offer enhanced benefits. Decatur's pharmacy technicians should weigh health insurance options against higher hourly wages available in agency roles or short-term contracts. Negotiating salary based on experience, credentials like the CSPT, and compliance with USP <797> / <800> standards can lead to better outcomes in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Decatur. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov