Pharmacy Technician Salary in Napa, CA: $81,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Napa, CA earns a median $81,568/year (≈ $39.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Napa's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 112.6), that paycheck buys what $72,470 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 46.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $81,568, pharmacy technicians in Napa, California, enjoy a significant advantage over their counterparts nationwide, who earn a median of $48,239. This premium is particularly pronounced for technicians with the Certified Sterile Pharmacy Technician (CSPT) credential, which is highly valued in the local market. Salary expectations in Napa range from $51,318 at the lower end to $89,044 at the upper echelon, reflecting a diverse job market that includes both retail and hospital settings. These figures are derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected into 2026, and underscore Napa's competitive position in the healthcare landscape amid increasing demand for pharmacy professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,318 | $24.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,851 | $29.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,568 | $39.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,012 | $42.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,044 | $42.81 |
Median Salary Position
69.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Napa
In Napa, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,726 (2026 est.). At $81,568, the local median is 69.09% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Napa: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Napa Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Napa median: $81,568/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Napa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,754 | +46.30% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +69.09% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Napa, CA earn a median of $81,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 69.09% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 46.30% above the California state average of $55,754.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Napa has a cost of living 12.55% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Napa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 112.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,568 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,470 — a 11.15% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,450
2025 BLS Actual
$77,360
2026 Current Est.
$81,568
2019–2027 Growth
+89.2%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Napa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,006 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Napa metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 70.2% from $45,450 (2019) to $77,360 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,006 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,556 (89.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Napa 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) | $51,318 – $61,851 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,851 – $81,568 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,568 – $89,012 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,012 – $89,044 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Napa
Employing around 200 pharmacy technicians, Napa's job market remains strong, supported by a cost of living index of 112.554, which indicates that living expenses are higher than the national average. Retail pharmacy chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart tend to offer lower pay compared to hospital settings, where specialized roles like sterile compounding significantly enhance earning potential. Factors contributing to wage variations include the setting of employment—hospital roles typically pay more than retail, particularly for those with CSPT credentials. Additionally, shift differentials for overnight work, lead pay for supervisory roles, and the inherent pay scales tied to the hospital versus retail chains create a diverse salary spectrum. To maximize earning potential, aspiring pharmacy technicians in Napa should consider pursuing certifications, targeting hospital positions, and being flexible with work hours to tap into higher-paying opportunities.
More salary data for Napa, 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 $77,360 for pharmacy techniciansin the Napa 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