Pharmacy Technician Salary in Ontario, CA: $53,720 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Ontario, CA earns a median $53,720/year (≈ $25.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Ontario's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $47,498 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Earning a median annual salary of $53,720, pharmacy technicians in Ontario, California, enjoy a competitive compensation landscape, well above the national average of $48,239 for the same year. The salary range here spans from $40,687 at the lower tenth percentile to $72,567 at the upper ninetieth percentile, reflecting significant earning potential depending on experience, certifications, and workplace settings. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate that technicians with specialized credentials, such as the CSPT (Certified Sterile Processing Technician), can command a premium in this market, particularly in environments that adhere to USP <797> and <800> standards. Given the changing dynamics of the job market, which include a growing need for technicians qualified in sterile compounding, Ontario presents promising opportunities for skilled professionals.
About the Ontario Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,687 | $19.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,017 | $20.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,720 | $25.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,201 | $28.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,567 | $34.89 |
Median Salary Position
11.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ontario
In Ontario, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,880 (2026 est.). At $53,720, the local median is 11.36% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ontario: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ontario Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Ontario median: $53,720/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ontario Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,726 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +11.36% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Ontario, CA earn a median of $53,720 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.36% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 3.60% below the California state average of $55,726.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ontario has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ontario, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,720 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,498 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,807
2025 BLS Actual
$50,948
2026 Current Est.
$53,720
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Ontario (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,807 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,088 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,914 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,084 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,879 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,201 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,948 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,720 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,642 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ontario metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $37,807 (2019) to $50,948 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,642 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,835 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ontario 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) | $40,687 – $43,017 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,017 – $53,720 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,720 – $59,201 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,201 – $72,567 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Ontario
In Ontario, 42 pharmacy technicians are currently contributing to the healthcare landscape, with the local cost-of-living index sitting at 113.1, which indicates that the cost of daily expenses is above the national average. This reality can influence take-home purchasing power, making it vital for technicians to secure roles in high-paying environments. Employers such as hospitals and specialty pharmacies like CVS Specialty or Accredo generally offer superior compensation packages compared to retail chains like CVS or Walgreens, which are also facing challenges following layoffs in 2024. The spread between lower and higher salaries is driven by several factors, including the varying demands of the job settings and the added value of certifications, shift differentials, and experience. To maximize pay in Ontario, pharmacy technicians should pursue certifications, seek roles in sterile compounding environments, and consider positions with hospital inpatient pharmacies that often provide more substantial salaries and benefits compared to retail settings.
More salary data for Ontario, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Ontario, CA in 2026?
Is Ontario, CA a good place to work as a pharmacy technician?
Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Ontario?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacy technician salary in Ontario?
How much does a pharmacy technician make per hour in Ontario?
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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 $50,948 for pharmacy techniciansin the Ontario 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 Ontario 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