Pharmacy Tech Pay

Brookhaven vs Columbus: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Brookhaven, GA and Columbus, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brookhaven, GA
$43,234
$20.78/hr
Columbus, GA
$42,566
$20.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrookhaven, GAColumbus, GA
Median Salary$43,234$42,566
Hourly Rate$20.78$20.47
Entry Level (P10)$33,118$32,370
25th Percentile$34,787$36,957
75th Percentile$46,068$50,421
Top Earner (P90)$59,567$62,610
Total Employed8410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brookhaven ($43,234) and Columbus ($42,566) pharmacy technician salaries.BrookhavenColumbusMedian Salary$43,234$42,566Entry Level (P10)$33,118$32,370Top Earner (P90)$59,567$62,610US Median $48,239

Verdict

Brookhaven and Columbus are closely matched on overall pharmacy technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Brookhaven and Columbus is $668 (1.57%). Brookhaven's median is -10.38% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brookhaven spans $26,449,Columbus spans $30,240. Columbus has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Brookhaven
P10 (Entry)$33,118
P25$34,787
Median$43,234
P75$46,068
P90 (Top)$59,567
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$32,370
P25$36,957
Median$42,566
P75$50,421
P90 (Top)$62,610

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($47,668 effective) pays 2.65% more than Brookhaven ($46,438 effective).

Brookhaven
Nominal: $43,234
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $46,438
Columbus
Nominal: $42,566
CoL Index: 89.296
Adjusted: $47,668

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brookhaven if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,234/year)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($62,610)
  • Larger job market (410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,668)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Brookhaven grew 15.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.4% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Brookhaven, GA

+15.9%

$35,376 (2024) → $41,003 (2025)

Columbus, GA

+35.4%

$29,820 (2019) → $40,370 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Brookhaven or Columbus?

Brookhaven has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $43,234/year, compared to Columbus at $42,566/year — a difference of $668 (1.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brookhaven and Columbus?

Brookhaven pharmacy technicians earn $20.78/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $20.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brookhaven to Columbus as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brookhaven and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brookhaven = $46,438, Columbus = $47,668), job availability (8 vs 410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Brookhaven vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $33,118 in Brookhaven and $32,370 in Columbus. The Brookhaven area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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