Pharmacy Tech Pay

Los Angeles vs Westminster: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Westminster, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$53,521
$25.73/hr
Westminster, CA
$56,337
$27.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAWestminster, CA
Median Salary$53,521$56,337
Hourly Rate$25.73$27.09
Entry Level (P10)$41,986$43,970
25th Percentile$47,638$46,070
75th Percentile$66,332$61,982
Top Earner (P90)$83,139$75,458
Total Employed13,13021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($53,521) and Westminster ($56,337) pharmacy technician salaries.Los AngelesWestminsterMedian Salary$53,521$56,337Entry Level (P10)$41,986$43,970Top Earner (P90)$83,139$75,458US Median $48,239

Verdict

Los Angeles and Westminster are closely matched on overall pharmacy technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Westminster is $2,816 (5.26%). Westminster's median is +16.79% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $41,153,Westminster spans $31,488. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$41,986
P25$47,638
Median$53,521
P75$66,332
P90 (Top)$83,139
Westminster
P10 (Entry)$43,970
P25$46,070
Median$56,337
P75$61,982
P90 (Top)$75,458

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Westminster ($49,812 effective) pays 5.70% more than Los Angeles ($47,128 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $53,521
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $47,128
Westminster
Nominal: $56,337
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $49,812

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($83,139)
  • Larger job market (13,130 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Westminster if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,337/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,812)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Los Angeles grew 15.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.1% growth in Westminster over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+15.1%

$44,090 (2019) → $50,760 (2025)

Westminster, CA

+-10.1%

$59,447 (2024) → $53,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Los Angeles or Westminster?

Westminster has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $56,337/year, compared to Los Angeles at $53,521/year — a difference of $2,816 (5.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Westminster?

Los Angeles pharmacy technicians earn $25.73/hr while Westminster hygienists earn $27.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Westminster as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Westminster. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $47,128, Westminster = $49,812), job availability (13,130 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Los Angeles vs Westminster?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $41,986 in Los Angeles and $43,970 in Westminster. The Westminster area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov