Pharmacist Salary

Birmingham vs Vestavia Hills: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Birmingham, AL and Vestavia Hills, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$141,340
$67.95/hr
Vestavia Hills, AL
$130,309
$62.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALVestavia Hills, AL
Median Salary$141,340$130,309
Hourly Rate$67.95$62.65
Entry Level (P10)$109,294$94,393
25th Percentile$129,854$120,295
75th Percentile$154,476$148,443
Top Earner (P90)$164,140$157,067
Total Employed1,5508
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($141,340) and Vestavia Hills ($130,309) pharmacist salaries.BirminghamVestavia HillsMedian Salary$141,340$130,309Entry Level (P10)$109,294$94,393Top Earner (P90)$164,140$157,067US Median $143,489

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Vestavia Hills.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Vestavia Hills is $11,031 (8.47%). Birmingham's median is -1.50% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $54,846,Vestavia Hills spans $62,674. Vestavia Hills has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$109,294
P25$129,854
Median$141,340
P75$154,476
P90 (Top)$164,140
Vestavia Hills
P10 (Entry)$94,393
P25$120,295
Median$130,309
P75$148,443
P90 (Top)$157,067

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($154,227 effective) pays 4.03% more than Vestavia Hills ($148,247 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $141,340
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $154,227
Vestavia Hills
Nominal: $130,309
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $148,247

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($141,340/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($164,140)
  • Larger job market (1,550 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,227)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Vestavia Hills if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Birmingham grew 13.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.5% growth in Vestavia Hills over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+13.0%

$122,870 (2019) → $138,800 (2025)

Vestavia Hills, AL

+18.5%

$108,015 (2024) → $127,967 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Birmingham or Vestavia Hills?

Birmingham has a higher median pharmacist salary at $141,340/year, compared to Vestavia Hills at $130,309/year — a difference of $11,031 (8.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Vestavia Hills?

Birmingham pharmacists earn $67.95/hr while Vestavia Hills hygienists earn $62.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Vestavia Hills as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Vestavia Hills. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $154,227, Vestavia Hills = $148,247), job availability (1,550 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Birmingham vs Vestavia Hills?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $109,294 in Birmingham and $94,393 in Vestavia Hills. The Birmingham area offers higher starting salaries.
SC

Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD

Career Analyst

Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Patel, PharmDData verified by Amina Al-Sayed, PharmD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.83% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov