Pharmacy Technician Salary in Modesto, CA: $53,289 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Modesto, CA earns a median $53,289/year (≈ $25.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Modesto's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.1), that paycheck buys what $51,186 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Modesto, California, can anticipate a median annual salary of $53,289 in 2026. This figure, which reflects a 10.47% increase over the national average salary of $48,239, illustrates the competitive nature of the job market here. The projected salary range spans from $42,260 at the 10th percentile to $72,574 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the wages varying between those working in hospital sterile compounding environments and retail settings. With a growing demand for certified pharmacy technicians — especially in outpatient and specialty roles — the job outlook in Modesto looks robust as employers seek skilled professionals in an evolving healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,871 | $23.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,289 | $25.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,528 | $30.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,574 | $34.89 |
Median Salary Position
10.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Modesto
In Modesto, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,314 (2026 est.). At $53,289, the local median is 10.47% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Modesto: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Modesto Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Modesto median: $53,289/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Modesto Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,742 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +10.47% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Modesto, CA earn a median of $53,289 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.47% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 4.40% below the California state average of $55,742.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Modesto has a cost of living 4.11% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Modesto, CA has a cost-of-living index of 104.108 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,289 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,186 — a 3.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,990
2025 BLS Actual
$50,540
2026 Current Est.
$53,289
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Modesto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,289 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,188 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Modesto metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 17.6% from $42,990 (2019) to $50,540 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,188 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,198 (30.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Modesto 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) | $42,260 – $48,871 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,871 – $53,289 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,289 – $63,528 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,528 – $72,574 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Modesto
Currently, Modesto employs around 480 pharmacy technicians, presenting a healthy job market for those entering the field. Given that the cost of living index stands at 104.108, professionals must consider how this impacts their purchasing power when negotiating salaries. Among various employers in the region, hospital inpatient pharmacies generally offer higher compensation than retail chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart. The wage gap can also be attributed to factors such as shift differentials for hospital nights, CSPT credential stipends, and the distinct pay scales between retail and hospital settings. For those seeking to maximize their pay in Modesto, pursuing certifications like PTCB or CSPT, and exploring opportunities within compounding or specialty pharmacies can strategically enhance their earnings potential.
More salary data for Modesto, 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 $50,540 for pharmacy techniciansin the Modesto 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
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