Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Anaheim, CA: $26.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Anaheim, CA runs $26.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,475 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Anaheim's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,687 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Anaheim, California, the projected median pharmacy technician hourly pay for 2026 is $26.19, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $23.19. This rate reflects the city's competitive labor market, particularly in healthcare settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacy IV clean rooms, and specialty pharmacy environments. For part-time pharmacy technicians working around three days per week, this translates to approximately $2,000 monthly. Entry-level roles typically start at about $19.41 per hour (P10), while experienced technicians can command up to $36.57 per hour (P90). Such figures highlight the robust earning potential and diversity of work settings available for pharmacy technicians in Anaheim, establishing the profession as an attractive option for those entering the field.
About the Anaheim Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.41 | $155.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.80 | $166.43 |
| Median (P50) | $26.19 | $209.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.43 | $235.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.57 | $292.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Anaheim
Based on $26.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.19/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Anaheim, CA can expect to earn approximately $54,478 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,430. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Anaheim.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Anaheim
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,047.65 | $4,540 | $54,478 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $628.59 | $2,724 | $32,687 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $419.06 | $1,816 | $21,791 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Anaheim) | $26.19 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Anaheim, CA earn a median of $54,475 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.93% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.30% below the California state average of $55,757.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.19/hr = $32,687/year (purchasing power: $28,901).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,478/year (purchasing power: $48,168).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Anaheim (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Anaheim grew 34.8% from $18.43/hr (2019) to $24.84/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.62/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anaheim 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 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Anaheim
Focusing on part-time opportunities, a pharmacy technician working 24 hours weekly at an hourly rate of $26.19 would take home around $51,833 annually, significantly less than their full-time peers. Per diem options in Anaheim, such as agency or locum pharmacy tech positions, often bill between $20 and $32 per hour, with those in specialized hospital sterile compounding roles earning between $25 and $40 per hour. Additionally, travel pharmacy tech contracts can range from $1,200 to $1,800 weekly in high-demand areas. Differences in hourly pay across employer types create varied pathways: retail chains may offer lower pay but include benefits, while hospitals and specialty pharmacies can offer higher rates at the expense of job security. Negotiating effectively becomes critical here; understanding the market rates and articulating the value of certifications such as PTCB or CSPT can empower technicians to achieve better pay.
More salary data for Anaheim, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Anaheim. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Anaheim is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov