Pharmacy Technician Salary in Albany, NY: $42,545 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Albany, NY earns a median $42,545/year (≈ $20.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Albany's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $42,730 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, New York, the projected median salary for pharmacy technicians in 2026 is $42,545, reflecting the local market's dynamics and the demand for skilled professionals. It's notable that salaries range from $37,231 at the lower end to $54,671 for experienced technicians, providing variables that can be influenced by factors such as experience and specific workplace settings. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, suggests that shift differentials and the overnight retail premium can significantly impact earnings. The presence of major retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens, along with hospitals and specialty pharmacies, creates a varied landscape for pharmacy technician pay in Albany, making it clear that choosing the right employer can lead to substantial differences in compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,231 | $17.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,106 | $18.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,545 | $20.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,188 | $23.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,671 | $26.29 |
Median Salary Position
11.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, NY, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,440 (2026 est.). At $42,545, the local median is 11.8% below the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albany: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Albany Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Albany median: $42,545/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $43,681 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | -11.80% less |
Pharmacy Technicians in Albany, NY earn a median of $42,545 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.80% lower than the national median of $48,239 and 2.60% below the New York state average of $43,681.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 0.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, NY has a cost-of-living index of 99.566 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $42,545 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,730 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,790
2025 BLS Actual
$40,350
2026 Current Est.
$42,545
2019–2027 Growth
+41.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,545 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,859 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 26.9% from $31,790 (2019) to $40,350 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,859 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,069 (41.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,231 – $38,106 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,106 – $42,545 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,545 – $49,188 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,188 – $54,671 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Albany
In Albany, 1,120 pharmacy technicians are employed, making the job market relatively robust; however, the local cost-of-living index stands at 99.566, indicating a slightly below-average cost compared to national standards. This context means that the purchasing power of technicians here is somewhat constrained despite solid earnings. Retail pharmacy chains are among the largest employers in the area, though opportunities in hospital pharmacies typically offer higher pay, particularly for those with CSPT certification or those involved in sterile compounding compliant with USP <797> and <800>. The variance in salaries often stems from additional certifications, shifts worked, and the type of pharmacy setting, with positions in inpatient care and specialty pharmacy often carrying a premium. For technicians looking to maximize their salary in Albany, pursuing certifications and gaining experience in high-demand areas can be particularly advantageous.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $40,350 for pharmacy techniciansin the Albany metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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