Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Huntington Beach, CA: $26.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Huntington Beach, CA runs $26.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,931 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Huntington Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,555 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Huntington Beach, California, pharmacy technicians can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $26.89, significantly higher than the national median of $23.19. This competitive pay structure reflects the local market's demand for skilled technicians, particularly in versatile settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital sterile compounding areas, and specialty pharmacy environments. Entry-level technicians may start at approximately $21.60 per hour, whereas more experienced professionals can earn up to $37.91 hourly. These figures indicate that part-time workers, like those covering shifts three days a week, can enjoy a solid income, which is vital in balancing work-life commitments while also capitalizing on the higher rates offered in specialized roles within the pharmacy sector.
About the Huntington Beach 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) | $21.60 | $172.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.49 | $179.92 |
| Median (P50) | $26.89 | $215.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.01 | $232.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.91 | $303.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington Beach
Based on $26.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.89/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $55,925 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,265. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Huntington Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,075.49 | $4,660 | $55,925 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $645.29 | $2,796 | $33,555 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.20 | $1,864 | $22,370 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Huntington Beach) | $26.89 |
| 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 Huntington Beach, CA earn a median of $55,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.95% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.30% above the California state average of $55,763.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.89/hr = $33,555/year (purchasing power: $29,669).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,925/year (purchasing power: $49,448).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Huntington Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Huntington Beach grew 34.8% from $18.92/hr (2019) to $25.50/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.35/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 Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach
For part-time pharmacy technicians working 24 hours a week, the potential annual income can reach significant figures, versus full-time roles which generally yield higher overall earnings. Per-diem pharmacy technician pay in Huntington Beach typically ranges from $20 to $32 hourly, with specialties such as hospital sterile compounding offering rates between $25 and $40 per hour, and travel pharmacy tech contracts reaching $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. Differences in hourly wages across employer types, including retail chains like CVS or Walgreens and hospital pharmacies, demonstrate variances that can influence job choice. Some technicians choose lower-paying roles for benefits like health insurance, while others prefer higher hourly rates with fewer perks. Additionally, in negotiating wages, emphasizing qualifications, certifications like CSPT, and the demand for skilled technicians can enhance job offers in this thriving market.
More salary data for Huntington Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach. 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 Huntington Beach 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