Pharmacy Technician Salary in Fontana, CA: $57,961 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Fontana, CA earns a median $57,961/year (≈ $27.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Fontana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $51,248 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fontana, California, pharmacy technicians can expect a median salary of $57,961 in 2026, significantly higher than the national average by about 20.15%. Salaries in this sector have a wide range, reflecting the varying demands and settings in which pharmacy technicians operate. The lower end of the scale starts at $42,250, while experienced technicians can earn as much as $79,938. These local estimates are informed by 2025 BLS state-level data, accounting for regional price adjustments. For those working night shifts or in specialty environments, opportunities for additional compensation can further enhance earnings, making Fontana’s pharmacy technician market an appealing option for both new and experienced professionals.
About the Fontana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,250 | $20.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,486 | $21.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,961 | $27.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,558 | $31.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,938 | $38.43 |
Median Salary Position
20.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fontana
In Fontana, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,688 (2026 est.). At $57,961, the local median is 20.15% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fontana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fontana Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Fontana median: $57,961/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fontana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,732 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +20.15% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Fontana, CA earn a median of $57,961 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.15% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 4.00% above the California state average of $55,732.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fontana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fontana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,961 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,248 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,793
2025 BLS Actual
$54,971
2026 Current Est.
$57,961
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Fontana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,793 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,174 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,145 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,407 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,423 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,971 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,961 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,115 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fontana metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $40,793 (2019) to $54,971 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,115 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,322 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fontana 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) | $42,250 – $45,486 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,486 – $57,961 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,961 – $64,558 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,558 – $79,938 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Fontana
As of the latest projections, there are 32 pharmacy technicians employed in the Fontana area, contributing to a competitive job market. However, a cost of living index of 113.1 indicates that the higher salaries here do not stretch as far as they might in other regions, influencing take-home pay and purchasing power. Retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens, alongside local hospitals and specialty pharmacies, are often the top employers providing competitive wages. The gap from entry-level to more experienced roles can be significant, driven by factors like CSPT certification stipends, the demand for compliance with USP <797> and <800>, and various shift differentials. Those looking to maximize their pharmacy technician pay in Fontana should consider pursuing certifications, seeking out positions in hospitals, and negotiating shift differentials where available.
More salary data for Fontana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Fontana?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacy technician salary in Fontana?
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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 $54,971 for pharmacy techniciansin the Fontana 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 Fontana 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