California ranks 4th of 51 states and D.C. for pharmacy technicians pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($56,140) by $6,500 — a 13% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $38,850 to $79,630 — a $40,780 spread, 67% wider than the national $24,350 range.
Pharmacy Technicians are less concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.79 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.27× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $38,850 | $18.68 |
| 25th percentile | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,640 | $23.86 |
| 75th percentile | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,630 | $38.28 |
| Mean (average) | $56,270 | $27.05 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $49,640 | n/a |
| Washington | $56,140 | +13% |
| Oregon | $51,210 | +3% |
| Alaska | $50,440 | +2% |
| Minnesota | $48,560 | -2% |
| Colorado | $48,070 | -3% |
| Arizona | $47,620 | -4% |
| North Dakota | $47,600 | -4% |
| Montana | $46,980 | -5% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $49,700 | 13,570 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $49,310 | 7,560 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,030 | 5,050 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $50,040 | 24,580 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $50,150 | 29,120 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $50,240 | 108,140 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Pharmacy Technicians salary in California?
The mean pharmacy technicians salary in California is $56,270 per year. The median (middle) salary is $49,640 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Pharmacy Technicians in California?
Entry-level pharmacy technicianss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $38,850 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $45,610 per year.
What is the highest Pharmacy Technicians salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $79,630 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $64,400 per year.
How does the California Pharmacy Technicians salary compare to the national average?
The median pharmacy technicians salary in California is $49,640, which is +14% above national average of $43,460.