Pharmacy Tech Pay

Glendale vs Sacramento: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Glendale, CA and Sacramento, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Glendale, CA
$56,074
$26.96/hr
Sacramento, CA
$61,651
$29.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGlendale, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$56,074$61,651
Hourly Rate$26.96$29.64
Entry Level (P10)$45,116$46,900
25th Percentile$47,078$50,906
75th Percentile$62,775$81,547
Top Earner (P90)$77,395$87,642
Total Employed362,820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Glendale ($56,074) and Sacramento ($61,651) pharmacy technician salaries.GlendaleSacramentoMedian Salary$56,074$61,651Entry Level (P10)$45,116$46,900Top Earner (P90)$77,395$87,642US Median $48,239

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Glendale.

The salary gap between Glendale and Sacramento is $5,577 (9.95%). Sacramento's median is +27.80% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Glendale spans $32,279,Sacramento spans $40,742. Sacramento has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Glendale
P10 (Entry)$45,116
P25$47,078
Median$56,074
P75$62,775
P90 (Top)$77,395
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$46,900
P25$50,906
Median$61,651
P75$81,547
P90 (Top)$87,642

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($57,796 effective) pays 16.57% more than Glendale ($49,579 effective).

Glendale
Nominal: $56,074
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $49,579
Sacramento
Nominal: $61,651
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $57,796

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Glendale if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,651/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($87,642)
  • Larger job market (2,820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,796)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Glendale grew -10.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.1% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Glendale, CA

+-10.1%

$59,170 (2024) → $53,181 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+34.1%

$43,600 (2019) → $58,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Glendale or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $61,651/year, compared to Glendale at $56,074/year — a difference of $5,577 (9.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Glendale and Sacramento?

Glendale pharmacy technicians earn $26.96/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $29.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Glendale to Sacramento as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Glendale and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Glendale = $49,579, Sacramento = $57,796), job availability (36 vs 2,820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Glendale vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $45,116 in Glendale and $46,900 in Sacramento. The Sacramento area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% 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 Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov