Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Napa, CA: $39.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Napa, CA runs $39.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,568 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Napa's regional price level (BEA RPP 112.6, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,938 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Napa, California, pharmacy technicians earn a median hourly pay of $39.21, significantly higher than the national median of $23.19 per hour. This increased hourly rate makes the role appealing, especially for those considering part-time positions or per-diem work, as they can expect to earn a healthy income while working in various settings such as retail pharmacy counters and hospital sterile compounding areas. In Napa, entry-level positions start at $24.67 per hour, while more experienced technicians command up to $42.81 per hour. The availability of roles at pharmacies, including mail-order and specialty compounding operations, means technicians have diverse options to choose from, further enhancing their earning potential in this market. The figures, reported based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reflect the growing demand for skilled technicians in the region.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.67 | $197.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.73 | $237.87 |
| Median (P50) | $39.21 | $313.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.80 | $342.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.81 | $342.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Napa
Based on $39.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.21/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Napa, CA can expect to earn approximately $81,563 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,056. With a cost-of-living index of 112.55 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Napa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Napa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,568.53 | $6,797 | $81,563 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $941.12 | $4,078 | $48,938 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $627.41 | $2,719 | $32,625 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Napa) | $39.21 |
| 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 Napa, CA earn a median of $81,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 69.09% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 46.30% above the California state average of $55,754.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.21/hr = $48,938/year (purchasing power: $43,480).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,563/year (purchasing power: $72,466).
CoL index: 112.554 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+89.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Napa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Napa grew 70.2% from $21.85/hr (2019) to $37.19/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.35/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 Napa 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 Napa
Looking at part-time opportunities, a pharmacy technician who works three days a week for a total of 24 hours could earn around $61,851 annually. In addition to this structured role, the per diem pharmacy technician pay in Napa varies widely, with common billing rates ranging from $20 to $32 per hour. Those engaged in hospital settings, particularly in sterile compounding, might find themselves earning between $25 and $40 per hour, whereas travel pharmacy tech contracts can bring in between $1,200 and $1,800 per week in markets facing shortages. Hourly rates differ based on the type of employer; retail chains such as CVS or Walgreens may provide more consistent schedules but often come with lower hourly figures compared to hospital inpatient pharmacies or specialty operations. Some technicians prioritize higher pay at the expense of benefits, while others may accept slightly lower wages to gain access to health insurance. For those pursuing hourly roles in Napa, negotiating for shifts or exploring multiple employer types can help maximize both income and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Napa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Napa in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Napa?
Are pharmacy technicians in Napa paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Napa?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Napa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Napa. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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