How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Alabama
Alabama employs approximately 8,510 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,030 1. The state’s concentration of pharmacy technician jobs is 1.33x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 49,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a pharmacy technician in Alabama, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in Alabama
How do I become a pharmacy technician in Alabama? Alabama requires credentials such as Licensed Pharmacist Technician, Licensed Pharmacist. The licensing authority is the Alabama Board of Pharmacy 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 19 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Alabama? Yes. Alabama has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Alabama Board of Pharmacy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Alabama is $39,030 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,620 and experienced professionals can earn $49,760 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Alabama Board of Pharmacy
- Median wage (Alabama): $39,030 per year 1
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in Alabama
The Alabama Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in Alabama 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Licensed Pharmacist Technician | Applicant must: be 19 years of age or older; Be of good moral character; Be a U.S. citizen or provide verification that applicant is authorized to work in the U.S. as proven by the U.S. |
| Licensed Pharmacist | Applicant must: be 19 years of age or older; Be of good moral character; Be a U.S. citizen or provide verification that applicant is authorized to work in the U.S. as proven by the U.S. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in Alabama vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 2,540 | $38,700 | $41,650 | $34,760 | $49,450 |
| Huntsville | 860 | $43,910 | $43,100 | $35,360 | $50,280 |
| Montgomery | 690 | $39,370 | $41,990 | $32,490 | $52,400 |
| Mobile | 630 | $39,280 | $42,220 | $30,340 | $50,760 |
| Tuscaloosa | 430 | $39,450 | $41,450 | $32,610 | $50,820 |
| Columbus | 410 | $40,370 | $42,790 | $30,700 | $59,380 |
| Auburn-Opelika | 330 | $39,490 | $40,710 | $31,940 | $48,520 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | 330 | $41,820 | $43,350 | $36,210 | $50,270 |
| Dothan | 260 | $38,830 | $40,060 | $31,720 | $46,840 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | 260 | $39,380 | $40,340 | $28,850 | $49,410 |
| Decatur | 230 | $43,420 | $41,850 | $28,700 | $50,040 |
| Anniston-Oxford | 190 | $37,040 | $38,800 | $27,810 | $48,110 |
| Gadsden | 160 | $36,800 | $39,400 | $31,150 | $47,980 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Pharmacy technicians in Alabama
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within Alabama according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 2,540 | $38,700 |
| Huntsville | 860 | $43,910 |
| Montgomery | 690 | $39,370 |
| Mobile | 630 | $39,280 |
| Tuscaloosa | 430 | $39,450 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 8,510 pharmacy technicians 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a pharmacy technician in Alabama with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alabama Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alabama.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Alabama is $39,030, which is $4,430 below the national median of $43,460 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alabama Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: https://www.albop.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |