Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Compton, CA: $26.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Compton, CA runs $26.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,202 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Compton's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,121 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Compton, California, the pharmacy technician hourly pay averages $26.54, which surpasses the national hourly median of $23.19 by a noteworthy margin. This increased rate offers significant advantages for part-time workers who might work about three days a week, as well as for per-diem pharmacy technicians. Working in varied environments such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV clean rooms adhering to USP <797>/<800> standards, and specialty compounding pharmacies, pharmacy technicians can experience rates that range widely; entry-level positions typically start near $19.92, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $34.38 an hour. This broad spectrum illustrates the diverse settings where pharmacy technicians operate, along with potential earnings based on experience and facility type.
About the Compton 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) | $19.92 | $159.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.64 | $181.10 |
| Median (P50) | $26.54 | $212.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.56 | $228.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.38 | $275.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Compton
Based on $26.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.54/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Compton, CA can expect to earn approximately $55,202 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,847. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Compton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Compton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,061.57 | $4,600 | $55,202 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $636.94 | $2,760 | $33,121 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $424.63 | $1,840 | $22,081 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Compton) | $26.54 |
| 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 Compton, CA earn a median of $55,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.43% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.00% below the California state average of $55,760.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.54/hr = $33,121/year (purchasing power: $29,285).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,202/year (purchasing power: $48,808).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Compton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Compton grew 34.8% from $18.68/hr (2019) to $25.17/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.98/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 Compton 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 Compton
Examining the financial landscape further reveals that a part-time pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $33,173 annually, a stark contrast to full-time earnings. Per-diem pharmacy technicians in Compton often find their billing rates fluctuate between $20 and $32 per hour, with certain sterile compounding roles offering even more—$25 to $40 per hour. For those considering travel contracts, pharmacy technicians can earn between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly in areas experiencing staffing shortages. Labor dynamics in Compton can also differ drastically by employer; large retail chains may offer less than specialized compounding pharmacies, where higher rates are common. However, some technicians opt for slightly lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Negotiation strategies could revolve around positioning personal skills and PTCB certification to secure better terms, especially when transitioning between retail and hospital pharmacy roles.
More salary data for Compton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Compton in 2026?
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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 Compton. 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 Compton 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