Pharmacy Technician Salary in California: $57,304 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across California's 158 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacy technician pay sits at $57,304/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2052. Because California sits at BEA RPP 113.1 (13% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $50,667 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Napa ($77,360), Sunnyvale ($77,263), Santa Clara ($76,755).
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in California can expect an average median salary of $57,305, surpassing the national median of $48,239 by 18.8%. The variation in salary across the state is significant, with Napa leading at $81,568 and Bakersfield at the lower end with $50,727, illustrating a gap of $30,841. This disparity is often driven by the cost of living in different regions, demand for healthcare services, and the local job market. The profession is regulated by specific state licensing requirements that necessitate formal training and certification. California's scope of practice laws allow pharmacy technicians to take on expanded roles compared to many other states, which can contribute to higher earnings. The job market is expected to grow at an annual CAGR of 5.44%, reflecting rising demand for healthcare and pharmaceutical services in the state. The top five projected paying cities for pharmacy technicians include Napa, Sunnyvale at $81,466, Santa Clara at $80,930, San Jose at $79,597, and Oakland at $65,297. As California continues to face a growing healthcare demand, the outlook for pharmacy technicians remains strong, with ample opportunities for career advancement in the state.
California Pharmacy Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in California: $38,056 (lowest entry-level) to $111,711 (highest top earner)
California vs National Average
California pharmacy technicians earn 18.79% more than the national median (+$9,065/year difference).
California Pharmacy Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacy Technician salaries in California range from $44,110 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $84,830 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $57,304. The California median is $9,065 above the US national median of $48,239. The average hourly rate is $27.55/hr. Approximately 41,029 pharmacy technicians are employed across 158 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,195
2025 BLS Actual
$54,348
2026 Current Est.
$57,304
2019–2027 Growth
+39.9%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in California (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,195 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,359 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,238 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,425 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,378 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,404 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,348 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,304 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,421 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the California metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 25.8% from $43,195 (2019) to $54,348 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,421 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,226 (39.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the California 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in California
Lowest Paying Cities in California
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $50,727 |
| Merced | $51,328 |
| Visalia | $51,529 |
| Hanford | $52,783 |
| Santa Cruz | $52,825 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacy Technicians in California
When adjusted for local cost of living, these California cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacy technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napa | $81,568 | 112.554 | $72,470 |
| San Jose | $79,597 | 110.423 | $72,084 |
| Sunnyvale | $81,466 | 113.1 | $72,030 |
| Santa Clara | $80,930 | 113.1 | $71,556 |
| Santa Rosa | $65,162 | 107.784 | $60,456 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in California
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $44,110 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $57,304 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $84,830 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across California metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 158 Cities in California
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Napa | $81,568 |
| 2 | Sunnyvale | $81,466 |
| 3 | Santa Clara | $80,930 |
| 4 | San Jose | $79,597 |
| 5 | Oakland | $65,297 |
| 6 | Santa Rosa | $65,162 |
| 7 | Petaluma | $64,539 |
| 8 | Fremont | $63,857 |
| 9 | San Francisco | $63,844 |
| 10 | Folsom | $62,067 |
| 11 | Vallejo | $61,862 |
| 12 | Sacramento | $61,651 |
| 13 | Roseville | $61,397 |
| 14 | Salinas | $60,291 |
| 15 | Santa Maria | $59,658 |
| 16 | San Luis Obispo | $59,605 |
| 17 | Chico | $59,384 |
| 18 | Yuba City | $59,215 |
| 19 | Santa Ana | $59,054 |
| 20 | Fontana | $57,961 |
| 21 | Irvine | $57,897 |
| 22 | Pomona | $57,615 |
| 23 | Simi Valley | $57,583 |
| 24 | Escondido | $57,569 |
| 25 | Chula Vista | $57,531 |
| 26 | Fairfield | $57,466 |
| 27 | San Diego | $57,465 |
| 28 | Fullerton | $57,254 |
| 29 | Daly City | $57,204 |
| 30 | El Monte | $57,186 |
| 31 | Vista | $57,156 |
| 32 | Concord | $57,142 |
| 33 | Clovis | $57,057 |
| 34 | Garden Grove | $56,998 |
| 35 | Carlsbad | $56,984 |
| 36 | Temecula | $56,984 |
| 37 | Santa Clarita | $56,946 |
| 38 | Lancaster | $56,871 |
| 39 | Inglewood | $56,871 |
| 40 | Corona | $56,799 |
| 41 | Richmond | $56,791 |
| 42 | Rialto | $56,764 |
| 43 | Torrance | $56,692 |
| 44 | Elk Grove | $56,583 |
| 45 | Oceanside | $56,570 |
| 46 | Whittier | $56,553 |
| 47 | San Rafael | $56,549 |
| 48 | Rancho Cucamonga | $56,498 |
| 49 | Hayward | $56,466 |
| 50 | Woodland | $56,452 |
| 51 | Buena Park | $56,443 |
| 52 | Encinitas | $56,439 |
| 53 | Downey | $56,435 |
| 54 | Dublin | $56,403 |
| 55 | Redlands | $56,385 |
| 56 | Chino | $56,355 |
| 57 | Westminster | $56,337 |
| 58 | Santa Monica | $56,332 |
| 59 | San Mateo | $56,327 |
| 60 | Tulare | $56,310 |
| 61 | San Buenaventura | $56,290 |
| 62 | Mission Viejo | $56,253 |
| 63 | Moreno Valley | $56,252 |
| 64 | Pleasanton | $56,244 |
| 65 | Pasadena | $56,165 |
| 66 | Santee | $56,125 |
| 67 | Glendale | $56,074 |
| 68 | Mountain View | $56,046 |
| 69 | Pittsburg | $56,041 |
| 70 | Novato | $56,023 |
| 71 | Costa Mesa | $56,002 |
| 72 | Berkeley | $55,944 |
| 73 | Huntington Beach | $55,931 |
| 74 | Jurupa Valley | $55,881 |
| 75 | Hemet | $55,864 |
| 76 | Union City | $55,860 |
| 77 | West Covina | $55,854 |
| 78 | Chino Hills | $55,838 |
| 79 | Gilroy | $55,759 |
| 80 | Redding | $55,736 |
| 81 | San Marcos | $55,728 |
| 82 | Tustin | $55,680 |
| 83 | San Ramon | $55,674 |
| 84 | Eastvale | $55,622 |
| 85 | Murrieta | $55,620 |
| 86 | Vacaville | $55,620 |
| 87 | Brentwood | $55,595 |
| 88 | Hesperia | $55,569 |
| 89 | Lake Elsinore | $55,565 |
| 90 | Citrus Heights | $55,494 |
| 91 | El Cajon | $55,444 |
| 92 | San Clemente | $55,428 |
| 93 | Bellflower | $55,406 |
| 94 | Palmdale | $55,381 |
| 95 | La Mirada | $55,380 |
| 96 | Apple Valley | $55,371 |
| 97 | Menifee | $55,354 |
| 98 | Yucaipa | $55,331 |
| 99 | Norwalk | $55,326 |
| 100 | Rancho Cordova | $55,278 |
| 101 | Montebello | $55,224 |
| 102 | Compton | $55,202 |
| 103 | Porterville | $55,163 |
| 104 | Lompoc | $55,156 |
| 105 | Hawthorne | $55,070 |
| 106 | Antioch | $55,052 |
| 107 | Fresno | $55,050 |
| 108 | Burbank | $55,048 |
| 109 | Stockton | $54,998 |
| 110 | Alhambra | $54,919 |
| 111 | Livermore | $54,919 |
| 112 | Orange | $54,904 |
| 113 | South Gate | $54,903 |
| 114 | Victorville | $54,890 |
| 115 | West Sacramento | $54,871 |
| 116 | Poway | $54,857 |
| 117 | San Leandro | $54,783 |
| 118 | Indio | $54,721 |
| 119 | Lake Forest | $54,721 |
| 120 | Carson | $54,624 |
| 121 | Rocklin | $54,616 |
| 122 | Newport Beach | $54,523 |
| 123 | Redwood City | $54,519 |
| 124 | Turlock | $54,505 |
| 125 | Manteca | $54,487 |
| 126 | Perris | $54,483 |
| 127 | Anaheim | $54,475 |
| 128 | Madera | $54,439 |
| 129 | Baldwin Park | $54,342 |
| 130 | Palo Alto | $54,342 |
| 131 | Lakewood | $54,320 |
| 132 | Lodi | $54,238 |
| 133 | Beaumont | $54,160 |
| 134 | Tracy | $54,148 |
| 135 | Alameda | $54,130 |
| 136 | Laguna Niguel | $54,117 |
| 137 | Milpitas | $54,090 |
| 138 | Camarillo | $53,976 |
| 139 | Oakley | $53,954 |
| 140 | Davis | $53,940 |
| 141 | El Centro | $53,911 |
| 142 | Upland | $53,900 |
| 143 | La Habra | $53,821 |
| 144 | Lynwood | $53,799 |
| 145 | Ontario | $53,720 |
| 146 | Long Beach | $53,700 |
| 147 | Los Angeles | $53,521 |
| 148 | Oxnard | $53,479 |
| 149 | Modesto | $53,289 |
| 150 | Thousand Oaks | $53,263 |
| 151 | San Bernardino | $53,070 |
| 152 | Riverside | $53,005 |
| 153 | Brea | $52,880 |
| 154 | Santa Cruz | $52,825 |
| 155 | Hanford | $52,783 |
| 156 | Visalia | $51,529 |
| 157 | Merced | $51,328 |
| 158 | Bakersfield | $50,727 |
More California Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore pharmacy technician hourly pay in California cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacy technicians.
Compare Cities in California
View all comparisons →Explore More Pharmacy Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in California in 2026?
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How does California pharmacy technician pay compare to the national average?
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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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacy technician compensation across California. State averages are employment-weighted across 158 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacy technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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