Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Glendale, CA: $26.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Glendale, CA runs $26.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,074 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Glendale's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,647 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Glendale, California, pharmacy technicians can expect a median hourly rate of $26.96, surpassing the national average of $23.19. This level of compensation reflects the demand and complexity of work in various settings such as retail pharmacies, hospital IV clean rooms, and compounding pharmacies. For part-time workers, such as those employed for three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a solid income, facilitating employment flexibility without sacrificing a significant income. Entry-level pharmacy technicians may start around $21.69 per hour, while seasoned professionals at the higher end can earn up to $37.21 per hour. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary projections, meaning that technicians working in Glendale can expect competitive pay compared to the national context, underscoring the financial viability of this career in the region.
About the Glendale 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) | $21.69 | $173.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.64 | $181.10 |
| Median (P50) | $26.96 | $215.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.18 | $241.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.21 | $297.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Glendale
Based on $26.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.96/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Glendale, CA can expect to earn approximately $56,079 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,353. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Glendale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Glendale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,078.44 | $4,673 | $56,079 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $647.06 | $2,804 | $33,647 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $431.38 | $1,869 | $22,432 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Glendale) | $26.96 |
| 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 Glendale, CA earn a median of $56,074 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.24% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.60% above the California state average of $55,740.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.96/hr = $33,647/year (purchasing power: $29,750).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,079/year (purchasing power: $49,583).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Glendale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Glendale grew 34.8% from $18.97/hr (2019) to $25.57/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.43/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 Glendale 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 Glendale
A pharmacy technician working part-time for 24 hours a week can expect an annual income that significantly differs from full-time counterparts. Part-time technicians at $26.96 per hour earn approximately $33,000 annually, which is a considerable amount, especially for those balancing other commitments. Meanwhile, per-diem pharmacy technicians in Glendale often earn between $20 and $32 hourly, with specialized roles in hospital settings yielding $25-$40 for sterile compounding. Travel positions have been lucrative, with contracts offering $1,200 to $1,800 weekly for high-demand areas. Hourly rates also vary widely based on employer type; for instance, retail chains like CVS or Walgreens may offer lower rates compared to specialized pharmacies or inpatient hospital settings. Some pharmacy technicians choose lower hourly wages with health benefits instead of higher pay without them, reflecting personal priorities. Negotiation for hourly wages in Glendale can be advantageous, especially when highlighting skills related to compliance with standards like USP <797> and <800>, making skilled technicians more attractive to employers.
More salary data for Glendale, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Glendale in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Glendale?
Are pharmacy technicians in Glendale paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Glendale?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Glendale?
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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 Glendale. 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 Glendale 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