Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Albany, NY: $20.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Albany, NY runs $20.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,545 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $20.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,528 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, New York, the pharmacy technician hourly pay is projected at $20.46 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $23.19. This discrepancy may notably impact those looking for part-time or per-diem positions within the abundance of pharmacy settings in the region, such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacies, and specialty pharmacies. For part-time workers, typically found working three days a week, this translates into a stable income while offering the flexibility to balance other commitments. Furthermore, as professionals progress in their careers, hourly rates can vary widely from $17.90 for entry-level roles to $26.29 for top earners in the Albany area, reflecting the demand and skillsets required in different pharmacy environments. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and represent an official overview of the industry.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.90 | $143.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.31 | $146.52 |
| Median (P50) | $20.46 | $163.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.65 | $189.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.29 | $210.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albany
Based on $20.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.46/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albany, NY can expect to earn approximately $42,547 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,546. With a cost-of-living index of 99.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $818.21 | $3,546 | $42,547 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $490.93 | $2,127 | $25,528 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $327.29 | $1,418 | $17,019 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Albany) | $20.46 |
| 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 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.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.46/hr = $25,528/year (purchasing power: $25,640).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,547/year (purchasing power: $42,733).
CoL index: 99.566 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Albany grew 27.0% from $15.28/hr (2019) to $19.40/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.57/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Albany
With a 3-day work schedule, a pharmacy technician in Albany earning $20.46 per hour can expect to take home around $31,158 annually. This amount is a notable contrast to full-time earnings in the field, which could lead many to consider per-diem work. Per-diem pharmacy technicians often find themselves billing anywhere from $20 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles, particularly in hospital sterile compounding, offering between $25 and $40 per hour due to the demand for compliance with USP <797> and <800> regulations. It’s noteworthy that travel pharmacy technician contracts can yield much higher weekly pay, ranging from $1,200 to $1,800. The variance in hourly rates is largely dependent on the employer type; retail chains like CVS and Walgreens generally pay less than hospitals or specialty settings. Therefore, technicians may choose lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance, constructive when assessing total compensation packages. For those negotiating hourly pay in Albany, understanding current market trends and leveraging specific skill certifications, such as PTCB or CSPT, can enhance earning potential and job satisfaction.
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
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 Albany. 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