Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Gadsden, AL: $18.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Gadsden, AL runs $18.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,802 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Gadsden's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,278 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Gadsden, Alabama, the pharmacy technician hourly pay stands at a median rate of $18.65, which falls significantly below the national median of $23.19. This pay scale provides insight into the earnings of part-time and per-diem workers, who typically find employment in settings like retail pharmacy counters and hospital pharmacy IV clean rooms. Those working three days a week can expect to earn a consistent hourly wage that contributes meaningfully to their income, although it varies considerably within the field. The hourly range for pharmacy technicians in Gadsden spans from $15.79 for entry-level positions to $24.33 for experienced technicians and specialists. According to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this hourly pay indicates both the opportunities and limitations within the profession in this particular region.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.79 | $126.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.83 | $142.64 |
| Median (P50) | $18.65 | $149.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.75 | $182.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.33 | $194.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gadsden
Based on $18.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.65/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gadsden, AL can expect to earn approximately $38,797 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,383. With a cost-of-living index of 85.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gadsden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gadsden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $746.09 | $3,233 | $38,797 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $447.66 | $1,940 | $23,278 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $298.44 | $1,293 | $15,519 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Gadsden) | $18.65 |
| 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 Gadsden, AL earn a median of $38,802 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.56% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 6.50% below the Alabama state average of $41,499.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.65/hr = $23,278/year (purchasing power: $27,177).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,797/year (purchasing power: $45,295).
CoL index: 85.653 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Gadsden grew 30.1% from $13.60/hr (2019) to $17.69/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.67/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 Gadsden 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 Gadsden
For part-time pharmacy technicians, the annual take-home pay will depend heavily on their weekly schedule. A technician working a 24-hour week at the median rate would earn around $25,000 a year, highlighting the stark difference compared to full-time counterparts. Many choose to work per diem roles, where pay rates can range from $20 to $32 per hour. Specialized positions in hospital sterile compounding often command even higher rates, ranging from $25 to $40 an hour. In Gadsden, pay rates also differ based on the type of employer, with retail chains like CVS and Walgreens generally offering lower wages than inpatient hospital pharmacies and specialty pharmacy operations. When negotiating, pharmacy technicians should consider the trade-off between hourly rates and benefits such as health insurance. Many choose lower hourly pay for job security and health benefits versus higher pay with no safety net. Being mindful of the local job market dynamics, technicians can leverage their experience and skills, particularly in specialized areas like compliance with USP <797> and <800> standards, to negotiate better pay in Gadsden.
More salary data for Gadsden, 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 Gadsden. 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