Pharmacy Technician Salary in Gilroy, CA: $55,759 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Gilroy, CA earns a median $55,759/year (≈ $26.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Gilroy's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $49,301 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gilroy, California, pharmacy technicians can expect a median annual salary of $55,759 in 2026, reflecting a notable 15.59% increase over the national median of $48,239. Local salaries range from $42,812 at the 10th percentile to as high as $77,057 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay landscape influenced by the setting in which one works. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data show that pharmacy technicians involved in hospital sterile compounding, which requires compliance with standards like USP <797> and <800>, generally command a higher wage than their retail counterparts. This differentiation highlights the opportunities available in Gilroy's healthcare sector, suggesting a strong demand for skilled technicians.
About the Gilroy Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,812 | $20.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,896 | $21.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,759 | $26.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,425 | $28.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,057 | $37.05 |
Median Salary Position
15.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gilroy
In Gilroy, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,245 (2026 est.). At $55,759, the local median is 15.59% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gilroy: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gilroy Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Gilroy median: $55,759/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gilroy Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $48,239 | +15.59% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Gilroy, CA earn a median of $55,759 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.59% higher than the national median of $48,239.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gilroy has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gilroy, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,759 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,301 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,242
2025 BLS Actual
$52,882
2026 Current Est.
$55,759
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Gilroy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,242 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,572 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,467 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,681 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,582 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,836 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,882 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,759 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,792 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gilroy metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $39,242 (2019) to $52,882 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,792 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,550 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gilroy 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) | $42,812 – $44,896 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,896 – $55,759 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,759 – $59,425 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,425 – $77,057 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Gilroy
The local job market for pharmacy technicians is relatively modest, with an estimated 10 professionals employed in the area. Although the cost-of-living index in Gilroy is set at 113.1, slightly above the national average, it impacts the effective purchasing power of pharmacy technicians in the region. Among local employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies often offer the highest pay, followed by specialty pharmacies and retail chains like CVS or Walgreens. Factors contributing to the wage disparity include the setting of employment, potential certifications like the CSPT, shift differentials, and chain versus hospital wage scales. To maximize earnings, technicians should consider pursuing additional credentials, such as the PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT certification, and seek positions at facilities that offer incentives for specialized roles or night shifts.
More salary data for Gilroy, 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
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 $52,882 for pharmacy techniciansin the Gilroy 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 Gilroy 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