Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $30.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in San Francisco, CA runs $30.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,844 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,306 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Earning $30.69 per hour places San Francisco pharmacy technicians significantly above the national hourly median of $23.19. This hourly rate is particularly relevant for those working part-time or as per-diem technicians, who typically staff retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV rooms, and specialized compounding areas. At this hourly wage, a pharmacy technician working three days a week can earn a respectable income, with entry-level positions starting around $23.71, while experienced professionals can reach as high as $47.81 per hour. These projections, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, provide a solid understanding of the hourly pay landscape within this vital healthcare profession in San Francisco.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.71 | $189.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.86 | $206.92 |
| Median (P50) | $30.69 | $245.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.28 | $330.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.81 | $382.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $30.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.69/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $63,843 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,832. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,227.74 | $5,320 | $63,843 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $736.65 | $3,192 | $38,306 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $491.10 | $2,128 | $25,537 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (San Francisco) | $30.69 |
| 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 San Francisco, CA earn a median of $63,844 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.35% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 14.50% above the California state average of $55,759.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.69/hr = $38,306/year (purchasing power: $33,133).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,843/year (purchasing power: $55,221).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in San Francisco grew 26.4% from $23.03/hr (2019) to $29.11/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.36/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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco
Taking a closer look at the compensation structure reveals a range of earning options for part-time workers and per-diem technicians in San Francisco. A pharmacy technician working a 24-hour week could take home approximately $38,396 annually, compared to full-time practitioners who would earn substantially more. The per diem opportunities vary widely; many bill between $20 to $32 per hour, while those in sterile compounding can command rates of $25 to $40 per hour. Furthermore, travel pharmacy technician contracts may offer weekly pay ranging from $1,200 to $1,800. Employers like CVS and Walgreens tend to provide slightly lower wages compared to hospitals but offer health insurance benefits, which some technicians may prioritize over a higher hourly rate. For technicians in San Francisco, negotiating pay can depend on job type and employer, with strategies varying based on whether they aim for retail or clinical settings. Understanding these dynamics is essential for navigating the job market effectively.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 San Francisco. 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