Home › Pharmacy Technician Salary › Georgia

What can pharmacy technicians earn in Georgia: Salary, education and factors that affect pay

Georgia stands out as a solid state for pharmacy technicians because of its healthcare ecosystem and moderate cost of living, though salaries might not be significantly higher than average. The state's relatively flexible regulations and a growing healthcare sector make it a strong option for aspiring pharmacy technicians. Other reasons to consider Georgia include:

• The state is home to major pharmaceutical and biotech companies, such as UCB and Boehringer Ingelheim. This adds indirect job opportunities in pharmaceutical distribution and manufacturing.

• Many community colleges and technical schools in Georgia offer pharmacy technician training programs, making it easier to enter the profession.

• Georgia offers a moderate cost of living compared to many other states, particularly in areas outside of Atlanta. This balance between wages and living expenses makes the state attractive for pharmacy technicians.

• Georgia is home to major healthcare hubs, like Atlanta, which house large hospital systems and specialty pharmacies, providing diverse employment opportunities.

• Georgia allows pharmacy technicians to assist pharmacists in key tasks like prescription preparation and inventory management, but the state's laws ensure that pharmacists remain responsible for higher-level tasks, creating a clear career hierarchy and learning opportunities.

Overview of Georgia pharm techs

There are 14,740 pharmacy technicians in Georgia said the BLS, which means just over three people are employed in the field for every 1,000 people living in the state. In fact the BLS said that the Atlanta-Roswell-Sandy Springs metro area of Georgia has the ninth highest employment level of pharmacy technicians in the U.S. The median wage per hour is $18 and the forecasted job growth for the coming decade is 7.2%, faster than the job growth rate for all other career fields combined, said the BLS.

With an increasing demand for specialty medications and compounding pharmacies, pharmacy technicians in Georgia can pursue roles in specialized areas of pharmacy. Here are five top employers for pharmacy technicians in Georgia, particularly those impacted by the increasing demand for specialty medications and compounding services:

• Emory Healthcare, Atlanta: Emory operates one of the most advanced healthcare systems in Georgia and includes specialty pharmacy services for complex conditions like cancer, transplant care and chronic illnesses. Pharmacy technicians can work in specialized hospital settings, handling high-cost or complex medications and learning compounding techniques.
  
• Northside Hospital, Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Alpharetta and multiple locations across the state: Northside Hospital has a strong focus on oncology care, where specialty medications are critical. Technicians may assist in preparing infusion medications and handling the logistics of specialty drugs for outpatient or inpatient use.
  
• CVS Health, Multiple locations across the state: CVS operates retail general and specialty pharmacies in Georgia that focus on chronic and rare conditions requiring tailored medication solutions. Technicians can gain experience in managing specialty drug inventories, processing prior authorizations and patient education support.
  
• Wellstar Health System, Augusta, Roswell, Marietta and multiple hospitals and clinics in the state: Wellstar includes hospitals, outpatient clinics and specialty services with a focus on conditions like diabetes, autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular health. Technicians have opportunities in compounding, sterile preparation and supporting specialty therapies.
  
• Option Care Health, Atlanta, Peachtree Corners: A leading provider of home infusion and specialty pharmacy services, Option Care Health focuses on customized treatments delivered outside traditional settings. Pharmacy technicians can work on compounding sterile medications and coordinating delivery for patients requiring long-term, specialized care.

Salary quick stats

While the median national salary for pharmacy technicians rests at $43,460 a year, pay may vary depending upon several factors, including where you work and live in Georgia, how much experience you have, what professional certifications you have earned and your level of education. Pharmacy technicians in urban areas like Atlanta, Savannah or Augusta may earn more due to higher demand, complex healthcare networks and a higher cost of living. Rural areas often have fewer employment options, resulting in lower wages.

Below is the median national wage for pharmacy technicians in Georgia along with salaries for different metro areas, listed by highest paying first.

Median annual salaries in Georgia

Salary range for pharm techs in Georgia

The salary range for pharmacy technicians in Georgia typically spans from $32,090 for the lowest 10% (entry-level) to $51,150 for the highest 10% (senior-level or management) per year. Georgia's salary ranges are slightly below the BLS national median salary for pharmacy technicians, especially at entry levels, but mid- and senior-level roles approach national averages in urban or specialized settings.

• Entry-level: $30,000–$34,000 per year
• Mid-level: $34,000–$45,000 per year
• Senior-level: $45,000–$49,000 per year

Pay by metro area within Georgia

Your earning level may depend not only on your experience, but where you live within a state. As a rule, cities tend to pay better than rural or less populated areas because of their higher cost of living and larger quotient of jobs. If your city is an industry hub, say for example you work as a pharmacy technician in Atlanta, pay tends to be more competitive and nearly meets the national median at $39,000 annually. That said, here's what the BLS reports as highest paying cities in the U.S. As you can see, California and Washington dominate the top 10. However, Atlanta-Roswell-Sandy Springs ranks ninth for highest employment level of pharmacy technicians.

Growth and job outlook in Georgia

Georgia offers strong prospects for pharmacy technicians due to healthcare sector growth and specialization trends, aligning closely with national job growth expectations. Job growth in Georgia is projected to be similar to or slightly higher than the national average, driven by population growth and expanding healthcare infrastructure, particularly in metropolitan areas. Other factors that impact job growth include:

• Growing population: Georgia's population growth, especially in urban centers like Atlanta, increases demand for pharmacy services.
  
• Aging population: Like other states, Georgia's aging population increases the need for prescription medications, driving growth in retail and hospital pharmacy roles.
  
• Regulatory changes: Georgia's regulations requiring only registration and not certification lower entry barriers, encouraging workforce growth.
  
• Cost of living: Georgia's relatively moderate cost of living attracts employers and professionals, sustaining job growth.
  
• Pharmaceutical presence: Companies in the pharmaceutical supply chain, such as Cardinal Health, indirectly boost pharmacy-related employment.

Factors affecting pharm tech salaries in Georgia

Pharm tech education in Georgia

Georgia has a relatively flexible pathway to becoming a pharmacy technician, with opportunities for formal education or on-the-job learning. Here's a breakdown:

• Obtain a high school diploma or GED: A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum educational requirement, as employers expect basic math, science and communication skills foundational to the role.
• Optional—Complete a formal education program: While not required by Georgia law, formal training makes candidates more competitive, especially for hospital or specialty pharmacy roles. Programs last six months to two years and result in a certificate or associate degree. Curriculum covers pharmacology, dosage calculations, inventory management and compounding basics.
• Earn professional certification: In Georgia, certification is optional but certification may increase job opportunities and help earning potential, especially in advanced roles like compounding or hospital pharmacy. You must complete of a recognized education program or have equivalent work experience and pass the PTCB exam to earn the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA) credentials.
• Check for on-the-job-training: Some employers, particularly retail chains like CVS or Walgreens, may offer paid on-the-job training for pharmacy technicians. These programs may also cover the cost of certification exams after training completion.
• Register with the state board: All pharmacy technicians must register with the Georgia Board of Pharmacy. You can do this online by submitting proof of employment or education and paying the required fee.
• Keep up with continuing education requirements: Pharm techs in Georgia must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain certification if they choose to become certified.

Cost of living considerations in Georgia

RentCafe says the cost of living in Georgia is 10% lower than the national average, which aligns nicely with the slightly lower than average salaries pharm techs are paid in the state. Housing is 21% lower than the national average and food and groceries are around 4% lower than the rest of the U.S. Here are average costs of living for the Georgia cities the BLS lists as paying pharmacy techs the highest salaries:

Georgia city	Cost of living %
Atlanta	2% lower than the national average
Columbus	7% lower than the national average
Marietta	7% lower than the national average
Peachtree City	4% lower than the national average
Savannah	7% lower than the national average

Professional associations for pharm techs

Georgia has professional associations that cater to pharmacy professionals, including pharmacy technicians, although most are broader in scope and not exclusively for technicians. Here are two prominent organizations relevant to pharmacy technicians in the state:

This pharmacy technician salary guide for Georgia strives to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the salary landscape and key information regarding becoming a pharmacy tech and the profession within the state. Use this guide as a starting point to make informed decisions about your career path, negotiating salaries and for setting realistic expectations for your educational and professional future.