Pharmacist Salary in Alabama: $138,231 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alabama's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $138,231/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because Alabama sits at BEA RPP 87.9 (12% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $157,259 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Birmingham ($138,800), Daphne ($136,860), Huntsville ($136,840).
In Alabama, the pharmacist salary landscape shows a median pay of $138,231 in 2026, which is 3.7% lower than the national median of $143,489. The highest-paying city in the state is Birmingham, offering an average salary of $141,340, while the lowest, Pelham, reports $125,523. This $15,817 difference can be attributed to variations in local demand, cost of living, and the presence of healthcare systems or retail pharmacy chains. Alabama's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws may also influence salaries and opportunities. Pharmacists in Alabama can engage in collaborative practice agreements and have a growing role in healthcare settings, which are key factors in meeting increasing demand for pharmaceutical care. Currently, there are approximately 4,478 pharmacists employed across the state, with a projected growth rate of 1.83% annually. Other cities with strong salary projections include Daphne at $139,365, Huntsville at $139,344, Montgomery at $139,120, and Hoover at $137,048. These figures indicate a steady job market for pharmacists in Alabama, driven by the ongoing need for healthcare services and medication management.
Alabama Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alabama: $64,845 (lowest entry-level) to $176,553 (highest top earner)
Alabama vs National Average
Alabama pharmacists earn 3.66% less than the national median ($-5,258/year difference).
Alabama Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in Alabama range from $95,737 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $164,243 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $138,231. The Alabama median is $5,258 below the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $66.46/hr. Approximately 4,478 pharmacists are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$123,899
2025 BLS Actual
$135,747
2026 Current Est.
$138,231
2019–2027 Growth
+13.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Alabama (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,899 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,115 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,198 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,558 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,223 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,658 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,747 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,231 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,760 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabama metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 9.6% from $123,899 (2019) to $135,747 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,760 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,861 (13.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabama 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 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alabama
Lowest Paying Cities in Alabama
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pelham | $125,523 |
| Anniston | $129,080 |
| Albertville | $130,015 |
| Vestavia Hills | $130,309 |
| Homewood | $131,141 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in Alabama
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alabama cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dothan | $133,632 | 83.833 | $159,403 |
| Florence | $132,929 | 84.817 | $156,724 |
| Hoover | $137,048 | 87.9 | $155,914 |
| Decatur | $135,851 | 87.212 | $155,771 |
| Mobile | $137,033 | 88.098 | $155,546 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $95,737 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $138,231 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $164,243 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alabama metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Alabama
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | $141,340 |
| 2 | Daphne | $139,365 |
| 3 | Huntsville | $139,344 |
| 4 | Montgomery | $139,120 |
| 5 | Hoover | $137,048 |
| 6 | Mobile | $137,033 |
| 7 | Decatur | $135,851 |
| 8 | Auburn | $135,617 |
| 9 | Opelika | $135,037 |
| 10 | Tuscaloosa | $134,853 |
| 11 | Dothan | $133,632 |
| 12 | Phenix City | $133,563 |
| 13 | Florence | $132,929 |
| 14 | Prattville | $132,836 |
| 15 | Northport | $132,542 |
| 16 | Madison | $132,340 |
| 17 | Alabaster | $131,521 |
| 18 | Gadsden | $131,452 |
| 19 | Enterprise | $131,310 |
| 20 | Homewood | $131,141 |
| 21 | Vestavia Hills | $130,309 |
| 22 | Albertville | $130,015 |
| 23 | Anniston | $129,080 |
| 24 | Pelham | $125,523 |
More Alabama Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacists.
Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Alabama in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in Alabama?
How does Alabama pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacist salary in Alabama?
How many pharmacists are employed in Alabama?
Which Alabama city offers the best value for pharmacists?
Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD
Career Analyst
Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacist compensation across Alabama. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov