Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Santa Monica, CA: $27.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Santa Monica, CA runs $27.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,332 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Santa Monica's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,805 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Santa Monica, California, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $27.09, which significantly surpasses the national median of $23.19. This higher pay point reflects the city’s unique employment landscape, where pharmacy techs work in diverse settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacies, and specialty compounding facilities. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this rate translates into a substantial income that supports their lifestyles while offering flexibility. The hourly wage can vary widely, with entry-level positions starting at around $21.21 and top earners raking in as much as $35.22 per hour. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a competitive market for pharmacy technician hourly pay in Santa Monica, CA.
About the Santa Monica 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) | $21.21 | $169.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.14 | $177.14 |
| Median (P50) | $27.09 | $216.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.22 | $233.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.22 | $281.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Monica
Based on $27.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.09/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Monica, CA can expect to earn approximately $56,342 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,505. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Monica.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Monica
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,083.50 | $4,695 | $56,342 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $650.10 | $2,817 | $33,805 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $433.40 | $1,878 | $22,537 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Santa Monica) | $27.09 |
| 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 Santa Monica, CA earn a median of $56,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.78% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.10% above the California state average of $55,719.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.09/hr = $33,805/year (purchasing power: $29,890).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,342/year (purchasing power: $49,816).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Santa Monica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Santa Monica grew 34.8% from $19.06/hr (2019) to $25.69/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.56/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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica
Examining the potential for part-time and per-diem work reveals significant financial implications for pharmacy technicians. A part-time technician working 24 hours a week could earn approximately $33,743 annually, a figure that highlights the allure of flexible job hours. Per-diem positions also present enticing options, with typical rates ranging from $20 to $32 per hour for general roles and $25 to $40 per hour for specialized sterile compounding tasks. Travel pharmacy technician contracts further amplify earning potential, offering weekly salaries that can reach between $1,200 and $1,800. While larger retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens often provide essential benefits, they may not always offer the highest hourly rates. Technicians may have to decide between accepting a lower hourly rate with health insurance or opting for higher pay without such benefits. Understanding how to negotiate effectively for hourly workers in Santa Monica can lead to a more fulfilling career that aligns with personal and professional goals, particularly in a rapidly evolving field influenced by industry demands and supply shortages.
More salary data for Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica. 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 Santa Monica 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