Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Indio, CA: $26.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Indio, CA runs $26.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,721 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Indio's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,831 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Indio, California, the projected pharmacy technician hourly pay for 2026 is $26.31, significantly higher than the national median of $23.19. This favorable rate enhances the prospects for part-time (three days a week) and per-diem pharmacy technicians working in various settings, ranging from retail pharmacy counters to hospital sterile compounding areas. The hourly range in Indio spans from approximately $21.40 at the entry level to around $35.36 for top earners. Such compensation reflects the complex roles pharmacy technicians assume, particularly in environments that adhere to stringent regulations like USP <797> and <800>. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, these hourly rates are informed estimates based on annual salary data, underscoring the competitive pay available to pharmacy technicians in the local market.
About the Indio 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) | $21.40 | $171.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.16 | $177.31 |
| Median (P50) | $26.31 | $210.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.03 | $232.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.36 | $282.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Indio
Based on $26.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.31/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Indio, CA can expect to earn approximately $54,719 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,569. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Indio.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Indio
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,052.29 | $4,560 | $54,719 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $631.37 | $2,736 | $32,831 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $420.92 | $1,824 | $21,888 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Indio) | $26.31 |
| 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 Indio, CA earn a median of $54,721 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.44% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.80% below the California state average of $55,724.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.31/hr = $32,831/year (purchasing power: $29,029).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,719/year (purchasing power: $48,381).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Indio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Indio grew 34.8% from $18.51/hr (2019) to $24.95/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.74/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 Indio 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 Indio
For those considering part-time roles in Indio, working three days a week usually translates to a solid income, although annual earnings fall short of full-time positions. A pharmacy technician putting in roughly 24 hours weekly could take home around $33,000 annually, while full-time counterparts can earn significantly more. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Indio ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, with opportunities in sterile compounding often reaching between $25 and $40 per hour. Some may find even greater earnings through travel contracts, especially in hospital settings facing workforce shortages, which can amount to $1,200-$1,800 weekly. Different employer types influence the hourly rates, with retail chains often on the lower end compared to specialized pharmacies. Those balancing between higher pay and benefits should carefully negotiate their compensation expectations, especially considering the shifting dynamics post-pandemic in the pharmacy sector.
More salary data for Indio, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Indio. 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 Indio 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