Pharmacy Technicians Salary in California
The median pay for a pharmacy technicians in California is $49,640/year ($23.86/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $80K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $50K get you in California?
About pharmacy technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level pharmacy technicians (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K.Top earners bring in $80K or more - a $41K spread from bottom to top.
Pharmacy Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $56K | +29% | 9,260 |
| Oregon | $51K | +18% | 4,570 |
| Alaska | $50K | +16% | 870 |
| California | $50K | +14% | 45,210 |
| Minnesota | $49K | +12% | 7,110 |
| Arizona | $48K | +10% | 11,260 |
| North Dakota | $48K | +10% | 910 |
| Montana | $47K | +8% | 1,400 |
| Utah | $47K | +8% | 5,370 |
| Nevada | $47K | +7% | 4,180 |
| Wyoming | $46K | +7% | 670 |
| Vermont | $46K | +6% | 770 |
| District of Columbia | $46K | +5% | 950 |
| Hawaii | $45K | +4% | 1,820 |
| New Hampshire | $45K | +4% | 2,200 |
Track pharmacy technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in California?
The median is $49,640 a year - that works out to about $23.86 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,850, and experienced pharmacy technicians can clear $79,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,388/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 65% 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 technicians salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median pharmacy technicians salary is worth about $49,640 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do pharmacy technicians 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.