Pharmacy Aides Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a pharmacy aides in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $47,010/year ($22.6/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $81K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $42,574 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 107.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $47K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About pharmacy aides
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level pharmacy aides (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $47K.Top earners bring in $81K or more - a $45K spread from bottom to top.
Pharmacy Aides pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $56K | +50% | 80 |
| California | $44K | +19% | 9,430 |
| Washington | $43K | +17% | 1,250 |
| Hawaii | $42K | +13% | 60 |
| Utah | $39K | +5% | 260 |
| Arizona | $39K | +5% | 280 |
| Oregon | $39K | +4% | 530 |
| Pennsylvania | $38K | +3% | 1,500 |
| Idaho | $38K | +3% | 110 |
| Nevada | $38K | +2% | 380 |
| Minnesota | $38K | +2% | 670 |
| Maine | $37K | +1% | 230 |
| Texas | $37K | +1% | 3,300 |
| Massachusetts | $37K | +1% | 330 |
| New York | $37K | +0% | 2,800 |
Track pharmacy aides salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare Support
Frequently asked questions
How much do pharmacy aides make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $47,010 a year - that works out to about $22.6 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,160, and experienced pharmacy aides can clear $81,170. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $47K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,225/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 108% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a pharmacy aides salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median pharmacy aides salary is worth about $42,574 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do pharmacy aides get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.