Pharmacy Technician Salary in Moreno Valley, CA: $56,252 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Moreno Valley, CA earns a median $56,252/year (≈ $27.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Moreno Valley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $49,737 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Moreno Valley, CA, the 2026 projected median salary for pharmacy technicians is estimated at $56,252, which sits well above the national median of $48,239. Local professionals in this field can expect salaries that range from $42,794 at the 10th percentile to as high as $78,007 for those at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the growing demand for pharmacy technicians, especially in hospital settings where sterile compounding roles are compensated more favorably than retail positions. With a focus on maintaining compliance with USP <797> and <800> guidelines, Moreno Valley's job market for pharmacy technicians is notably competitive.
About the Moreno Valley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,794 | $20.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,477 | $21.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,252 | $27.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,032 | $30.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,007 | $37.51 |
Median Salary Position
16.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moreno Valley
In Moreno Valley, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,213 (2026 est.). At $56,252, the local median is 16.61% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moreno Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moreno Valley Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Moreno Valley median: $56,252/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moreno Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,750 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +16.61% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Moreno Valley, CA earn a median of $56,252 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.61% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.90% above the California state average of $55,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moreno Valley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moreno Valley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,252 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,737 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,590
2025 BLS Actual
$53,350
2026 Current Est.
$56,252
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Moreno Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,931 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,843 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,068 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,995 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,358 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,252 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,312 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moreno Valley metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $39,590 (2019) to $53,350 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,312 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,722 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moreno Valley 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) | $42,794 – $45,477 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,477 – $56,252 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,252 – $64,032 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,032 – $78,007 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Moreno Valley
With 53 pharmacy technicians currently employed in the Moreno Valley area, the job market offers a solid base for career growth. However, the cost of living index at 113.1 indicates that living expenses are higher than the national average, impacting take-home purchasing power. Those seeking the highest pharmacy technician pay in Moreno Valley CA may find opportunities with hospital inpatient pharmacies or specialty mail-order operations, which typically offer elevated salaries compared to retail chains like CVS and Walgreens. Factors such as CSPT certification, shift differentials for nights or weekends, and the distinctions between retail and hospital wage scales contribute to the income variance in this market. To maximize earnings, candidates should consider pursuing specialized certifications and seek positions in environments where advanced skills are rewarded more substantially.
More salary data for Moreno Valley, 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 $53,350 for pharmacy techniciansin the Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley 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