Pharmacy Technicians pay in California
In California, the median pay for pharmacy technicians is $26.50 an hour ($55,110 a year). About 39,860 people work in this job there.
That is 20% higher than the U.S. median ($45,750). California ranks 2nd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for pharmacy technicians in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.60 | $42,850 |
| 25% of workers | $22.32 | $46,430 |
| Half of workers (median) | $26.50 | $55,110 |
| 75% of workers | $31.53 | $65,590 |
| 90% of workers | $39.03 | $81,190 |
Pharmacy Technicians pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Napa | $77,360 | 200 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $75,490 | 1,780 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $61,800 | 370 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $60,550 | 4,040 |
| Vallejo | $58,670 | 440 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $58,470 | 2,820 |
| Salinas | $57,180 | 360 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $56,580 | 420 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $56,530 | 320 |
| Chico | $56,320 | 220 |
| Yuba City | $56,160 | 190 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $54,500 | 3,600 |
| Redding | $52,860 | 220 |
| Fresno | $52,210 | 1,320 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $52,160 | 680 |
| El Centro | $51,130 | 160 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $50,760 | 13,130 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $50,720 | 720 |
| Modesto | $50,540 | 480 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $50,270 | 4,630 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $50,100 | 260 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $50,060 | 200 |
| Visalia | $48,870 | 420 |
| Merced | $48,680 | 170 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $48,110 | 870 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for pharmacy technicians
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.4% over ten years, faster than average · about 44,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistants | $49,660 |
| Nursing Assistants | $47,630 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 |
| Pharmacists | $164,610 |
| Phlebotomists | $56,040 |
| Surgical Technologists | $81,310 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,630 |
| Pharmacy Aides | $42,200 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.