Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Oceanside, CA: $27.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Oceanside, CA runs $27.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,570 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Oceanside's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $24.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,937 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oceanside, California, pharmacy technicians can expect a median hourly pay of $27.19, significantly higher than the national median of $23.19. This wage benefits those working part-time or as per-diem employees, particularly in bustling environments such as retail pharmacies, hospital IV clean rooms, and specialty compounding hoods. A part-time technician working three days a week can generate substantial income, earning rates that range from $20.20 at the entry level to about $36.18 for seasoned professionals. This hourly compensation is reflective of the demand in Oceanside, where a shortage of qualified technicians has put upward pressure on wages in various settings including mail-order fulfillment and long-term care pharmacy production.
About the Oceanside 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) | $20.20 | $161.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.50 | $171.99 |
| Median (P50) | $27.19 | $217.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.70 | $237.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.18 | $289.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oceanside
Based on $27.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.19/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oceanside, CA can expect to earn approximately $56,561 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,632. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Oceanside.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oceanside
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,087.72 | $4,713 | $56,561 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $652.63 | $2,828 | $33,937 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $435.09 | $1,885 | $22,625 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Oceanside) | $27.19 |
| 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 Oceanside, CA earn a median of $56,570 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.27% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.50% above the California state average of $55,734.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.19/hr = $33,937/year (purchasing power: $30,006).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,561/year (purchasing power: $50,010).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Oceanside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Oceanside grew 34.8% from $19.14/hr (2019) to $25.79/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.67/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 Oceanside 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 Oceanside
When examining the earning potential for part-time pharmacy technicians working a 24-hour week, they could expect to bring home approximately $42,460 annually, a figure that remains competitive even against full-time counterparts. Per-diem pharmacy technicians in Oceanside often see rates between $20 and $32, with specialized roles in sterile compounding billed at $25 to $40 per hour. There are also lucrative travel assignments available, which may offer contracts between $1,200 and $1,800 per week for skilled technicians. The type of employer significantly impacts hourly pay, with retail chains generally offering lower rates compared to hospital roles and specialty pharmacies. Many technicians may find themselves weighing the benefits of stable employment with health insurance against higher hourly wages without added perks. For those considering negotiations, presenting data related to current industry rates can bolster efforts to secure a competitive salary that aligns with the local market trends in Oceanside.
More salary data for Oceanside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Oceanside in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacy technicians make in Oceanside?
Are pharmacy technicians in Oceanside paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacy technician make per year in Oceanside?
Do pharmacy technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Oceanside?
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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 Oceanside. 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 Oceanside 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