Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $29.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Sacramento, CA runs $29.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,651 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,990 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Sacramento, California, earn a median hourly rate of $29.64, significantly higher than the national median of $23.19. This competitive pay can provide a reasonable income for those working in various settings, such as retail pharmacies, hospital IV clean rooms, and specialty compounding facilities. For part-time employees working three days a week, this translates to a robust income in a city with an above-average cost of living. In terms of the hourly earnings, the range for pharmacy technicians varies from $22.55 at the lower end to $42.13 for experienced professionals or those working in high-demand areas, demonstrating the potential for growth in this field, based on projections from 2025 BLS data.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.55 | $180.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.47 | $195.78 |
| Median (P50) | $29.64 | $237.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.21 | $313.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.13 | $337.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $29.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.64/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $61,650 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,567. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,185.57 | $5,137 | $61,650 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $711.34 | $3,082 | $36,990 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $474.23 | $2,055 | $24,660 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Sacramento) | $29.64 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $61,651 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.80% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 10.60% above the California state average of $55,742.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.64/hr = $36,990/year (purchasing power: $34,677).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,650/year (purchasing power: $57,795).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Sacramento grew 34.1% from $20.96/hr (2019) to $28.11/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.25/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
Opportunities abound for pharmacy technicians seeking flexible employment arrangements. Part-time technicians, averaging 24 hours weekly, can take home about $46,157 annually, contrasting with full-time professionals who could double that amount. Per diem pharmacy technician pay in Sacramento often ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, while those specializing in hospital sterile compounding may earn between $25 and $40. Travel pharmacy tech contracts can yield even higher earnings, reaching between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly in underserved areas. Pharmacy technicians can find employment across a variety of settings, such as retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, inpatient hospital pharmacies, and specialty or compounding pharmacies. Those drawn to full-time roles often have to balance lower hourly rates against the benefits of health insurance and other perks. Negotiating for better pay can hinge on emphasizing credentials like PTCB certification or experience in compliance with USP <797> and <800> guidelines, which are highly valued in Sacramento’s market.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 Sacramento. 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