Pharmacy Tech Pay

Riverside vs Roseville: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Riverside, CA
$53,005
$25.48/hr
Roseville, CA
$61,397
$29.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CARoseville, CA
Median Salary$53,005$61,397
Hourly Rate$25.48$29.51
Entry Level (P10)$41,427$49,560
25th Percentile$47,944$51,529
75th Percentile$62,990$66,395
Top Earner (P90)$81,010$84,541
Total Employed4,63035
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($53,005) and Roseville ($61,397) pharmacy technician salaries.RiversideRosevilleMedian Salary$53,005$61,397Entry Level (P10)$41,427$49,560Top Earner (P90)$81,010$84,541US Median $48,239

Verdict

Roseville, CA offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Riverside and Roseville is $8,392 (15.83%). Roseville's median is +27.28% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Riverside spans $39,583,Roseville spans $34,981. Riverside has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Riverside
P10 (Entry)$41,427
P25$47,944
Median$53,005
P75$62,990
P90 (Top)$81,010
Roseville
P10 (Entry)$49,560
P25$51,529
Median$61,397
P75$66,395
P90 (Top)$84,541

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roseville ($54,286 effective) pays 9.01% more than Riverside ($49,797 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $53,005
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $49,797
Roseville
Nominal: $61,397
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $54,286

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (4,630 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Roseville if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,397/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,541)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,286)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Riverside grew 29.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.6% growth in Roseville over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+29.2%

$38,910 (2019) → $50,270 (2025)

Roseville, CA

+-1.6%

$59,155 (2024) → $58,229 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Riverside or Roseville?

Roseville has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $61,397/year, compared to Riverside at $53,005/year — a difference of $8,392 (15.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and Roseville?

Riverside pharmacy technicians earn $25.48/hr while Roseville hygienists earn $29.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Riverside to Roseville as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and Roseville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $49,797, Roseville = $54,286), job availability (4,630 vs 35 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Riverside vs Roseville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $41,427 in Riverside and $49,560 in Roseville. The Roseville 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