Pharmacy Technician Salary in Decatur, AL: $45,782 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Decatur, AL earns a median $45,782/year (≈ $22.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $52,495 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.3% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, pharmacy technicians earn a 2026 median annual salary of $45,782, which is slightly below the national median of $48,239 for the same year. The salary range for this occupation spans from $30,261 at the 10th percentile to $52,762 at the 90th percentile, providing a good spectrum for potential earnings based on experience and setting. This data originates from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicating that factors such as shift differentials and overnight retail premiums can significantly contribute to overall compensation. In the context of Decatur's job market, with a steady demand for pharmacy technicians, the figures reflect a stable yet competitive environment for those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,261 | $14.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,812 | $18.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,782 | $22.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,283 | $23.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,762 | $25.37 |
Median Salary Position
5.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,501 (2026 est.). At $45,782, the local median is 5.09% below the national median of $48,239.
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At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be above the median
How Decatur Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Decatur median: $45,782/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $41,507 | +10.30% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | -5.09% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.212 (below the national average of 100). A pharmacy technician earning $45,782 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,495 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,120
2025 BLS Actual
$43,420
2026 Current Est.
$45,782
2019–2027 Growth
+60.3%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,782 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,273 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 44.2% from $30,120 (2019) to $43,420 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,273 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,153 (60.27%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $30,261 – $38,812 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,812 – $45,782 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,782 – $49,283 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,283 – $52,762 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Decatur
The local job market for pharmacy technicians shows strength with approximately 230 professionals currently working in the area. Decatur's cost-of-living index stands at 87.212, meaning the purchasing power for technicians is relatively higher than in many other cities, enhancing the appeal of these positions. Pharmacy technicians can find varying pay scales depending on their workplace; retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, hospital pharmacies, or specialty operations like Accredo often have different wage scales. Factors influencing the disparity in pay include the specifics of employment settings—hospital sterile compounding roles typically command higher wages compared to retail positions. Moreover, pursuing certifications such as CSPT and accommodating shift differentials can lead to improved earnings. For aspiring technicians, targeting hospitals and specialized pharmacies in Decatur will provide the best chance for maximizing salaries while ensuring compliance with guidelines such as USP <797> and <800>.
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
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 $43,420 for pharmacy techniciansin the Decatur 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