Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Tustin, CA: $26.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Tustin, CA runs $26.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,680 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Tustin's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,410 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tustin, California, pharmacy technicians can expect a median hourly pay of $26.77, which surpasses the national median of $23.19 by a notable margin. This competitive rate reflects the ongoing demand for pharmacy professionals, particularly in diverse settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacies, and long-term care facilities. Entry-level pharmacy technicians in Tustin might earn approximately $20.38 per hour, while experienced professionals at the top of their field can command up to $35.22 per hour. This pay structure is particularly beneficial for those working part-time or on a per diem basis, as it allows flexibility while still providing opportunities for a solid hourly wage typical of the profession.
About the Tustin 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) | $20.38 | $163.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.51 | $172.08 |
| Median (P50) | $26.77 | $214.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.07 | $232.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.22 | $281.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tustin
Based on $26.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.77/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tustin, CA can expect to earn approximately $55,684 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,125. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tustin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tustin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,070.85 | $4,640 | $55,684 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $642.51 | $2,784 | $33,410 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $428.34 | $1,856 | $22,274 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Tustin) | $26.77 |
| 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 Tustin, CA earn a median of $55,680 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.43% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.10% below the California state average of $55,735.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.77/hr = $33,410/year (purchasing power: $29,541).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,684/year (purchasing power: $49,234).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Tustin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Tustin grew 34.8% from $18.84/hr (2019) to $25.39/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.23/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 Tustin 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 Tustin
With the potential for a part-time pharmacy technician working three days a week (around 24 hours) to take home approximately $33,388 annually, there is a clear distinction between part-time and full-time earning potential in this field. Per diem pharmacy technicians in Tustin find that their pay can fluctuate between $20 and $32 per hour depending on location and demand, with specialty roles in sterile compounding often offering $25 to $40 per hour. Various employers significantly influence hourly rates; retail chains like CVS and Walgreens typically pay lower than hospitals or specialty pharmacies, yet many technicians may choose positions with lower hourly rates for the benefits that full-time work provides. Those considering negotiations should leverage their certifications—especially the CSPT credential—and experience to secure higher pay, particularly in sectors facing workforce shortages.
More salary data for Tustin, 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 Tustin. 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 Tustin 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