Pharmacy Technician Salary in Brea, CA: $52,880 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Brea, CA earns a median $52,880/year (≈ $25.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $46,755 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Brea, California are projected to earn a median annual salary of $52,880, positioning them approximately 9.62% higher than the national median of $48,239. The local salary range for this profession spans from $43,337 at the 10th percentile to $69,303 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the varying levels of expertise and work environments. These figures are informed by BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, reflecting not just the base pay but the additional compensation factors prevalent in Brea's job market. With the city’s higher cost of living index, currently at 113.1, pharmacy technicians might find that their earnings can fluctuate significantly based on the specific setting, with more lucrative opportunities often found through specialized roles or night shifts.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,337 | $20.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,366 | $21.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,880 | $25.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,785 | $27.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,303 | $33.32 |
Median Salary Position
9.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,966 (2026 est.). At $52,880, the local median is 9.62% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Brea median: $52,880/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,722 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +9.62% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Brea, CA earn a median of $52,880 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.62% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 5.10% below the California state average of $55,722.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,880 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,755 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,217
2025 BLS Actual
$50,152
2026 Current Est.
$52,880
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,217 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,477 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,275 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,426 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,178 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,799 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,880 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,757 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $37,217 (2019) to $50,152 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,757 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,540 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $43,337 – $44,366 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,366 – $52,880 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,880 – $57,785 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,785 – $69,303 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Brea
In total, Brea employs around 10 pharmacy technicians, illustrating a concentrated but competitive job market. While the cost of living can impact take-home pay, positions in hospital inpatient pharmacies or specialty pharmacies tend to offer the highest salaries. Factors such as certified sterile compounding skills (CSPT credential) or shift differentials, particularly for overnight retail or hospital nights, can enhance earning potential significantly. The disparity in salaries often reflects the complexity and responsibilities of various roles; for instance, hospital settings generally provide higher wages compared to retail chains like CVS or Walgreens. As pharmacy technician pay in Brea CA adjusts to accommodate demand and specific skill sets, taking advantage of educational opportunities and certifications may be key for those looking to maximize their compensation in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Brea, CA in 2026?
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Brea?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacy technician salary in Brea?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,152 for pharmacy techniciansin the Brea metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea 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