Pharmacy Technician Salary in Santa Maria, CA: $59,658 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Santa Maria, CA earns a median $59,658/year (≈ $28.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Santa Maria's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.8), that paycheck buys what $54,834 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Santa Maria, California, can expect a median annual salary of $59,658, which positions them notably higher than the national median of $48,239 by approximately 23.67%. The salary range for this role extends from $45,603 at the 10th percentile to $77,066 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a strong local job market for technicians. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, which project upward trends for salaries due to factors such as the increasing importance of the CSPT credential in sterile compounding roles. Given the ongoing demand for skilled pharmacy technicians in Santa Maria and the surrounding areas, the job prospects remain promising for those entering or advancing in this career path.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,603 | $21.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,179 | $24.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,658 | $28.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,598 | $32.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,066 | $37.05 |
Median Salary Position
23.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Maria
In Santa Maria, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,463 (2026 est.). At $59,658, the local median is 23.67% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Maria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Maria Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Santa Maria median: $59,658/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Maria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,755 | +7.00% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +23.67% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $59,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.67% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 7.00% above the California state average of $55,755.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Maria has a cost of living 8.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Maria, CA has a cost-of-living index of 108.798 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,658 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,834 — a 8.09% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,740
2025 BLS Actual
$56,580
2026 Current Est.
$59,658
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,658 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Maria metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 16.1% from $48,740 (2019) to $56,580 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,163 (29.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Maria 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) | $45,603 – $50,179 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,179 – $59,658 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,658 – $67,598 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,598 – $77,066 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Santa Maria
The competitive pharmacy technician pay in Santa Maria, CA, can be attributed to several market dynamics, particularly the 420 pharmacy technicians currently employed in the region. Despite a cost of living index of 108.798, which suggests higher living expenses compared to the national average, the compensation levels remain attractive. Retail pharmacy chains, such as CVS and Walgreens, often offer lower pay compared to hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty pharmacies, which tend to provide better wages due to the increased complexity and requirements, including compliance with USP <797> and <800>. Additionally, technicians with CSPT certifications or those working overnight shifts often see pay differentials that further enhance their earnings potential. Taking advantage of these opportunities, staying current with industry certifications, and considering roles in high-demand areas like hospital sterile compounding can significantly boost earning potential in this local market.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 $56,580 for pharmacy techniciansin the Santa Maria 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