Pharmacy Technician Salary in Torrance, CA: $56,692 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Torrance, CA earns a median $56,692/year (≈ $27.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Torrance's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $50,126 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual pharmacy technician salary in Torrance, California, for 2026 is $56,692, which exceeds the national median by 17.52%. With a salary range from $42,141 at the 10th percentile to $79,515 at the 90th percentile, this reflects a dynamic job market where specialized roles, such as those in hospital sterile compounding, often command higher pay compared to retail settings. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price variations, highlight the significant differences in compensation depending on the specific employment environment. In Torrance, becoming certified through the PTCB or NHA can be advantageous for those seeking to maximize their earning potential, especially in this thriving healthcare sector.
About the Torrance Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,141 | $20.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,967 | $21.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,692 | $27.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,219 | $30.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,515 | $38.23 |
Median Salary Position
17.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Torrance
In Torrance, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,374 (2026 est.). At $56,692, the local median is 17.52% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Torrance: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Torrance Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Torrance median: $56,692/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Torrance Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,744 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +17.52% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Torrance, CA earn a median of $56,692 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.52% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.70% above the California state average of $55,744.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Torrance has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Torrance, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,692 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,126 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,899
2025 BLS Actual
$53,767
2026 Current Est.
$56,692
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Torrance (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,899 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,251 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,178 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,412 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,362 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,821 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,767 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,692 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,776 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Torrance metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $39,899 (2019) to $53,767 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,776 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,877 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Torrance 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) | $42,141 – $44,967 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,967 – $56,692 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,692 – $64,219 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,219 – $79,515 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Torrance
In 2026, Torrance employs 26 pharmacy technicians, indicating a robust job market for this profession. The city's cost-of-living index sits at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, local purchasing power may be impacted by higher living expenses. Among various employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies usually pay the most, reflecting the specialized skill set required, particularly for those managing sterile compounding compliant with USP <797> and <800>. Factors such as CSPT certification stipends, shift differentials, and lead technician roles contribute to the variation in pay. To optimize their salary, pharmacy technicians in Torrance should explore opportunities within hospital settings, seek additional certifications, and consider working night shifts, where applicable, to benefit from increased compensation rates.
More salary data for Torrance, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Torrance?
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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 $53,767 for pharmacy techniciansin the Torrance 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 Torrance 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