Pharmacy Tech Pay

Moreno Valley vs San Francisco: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Moreno Valley, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Moreno Valley, CA
$56,252
$27.05/hr
San Francisco, CA
$63,844
$30.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMoreno Valley, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$56,252$63,844
Hourly Rate$27.05$30.69
Entry Level (P10)$42,794$49,335
25th Percentile$45,477$53,806
75th Percentile$64,032$85,870
Top Earner (P90)$78,007$99,440
Total Employed534,040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Moreno Valley ($56,252) and San Francisco ($63,844) pharmacy technician salaries.Moreno ValleySan FranciscoMedian Salary$56,252$63,844Entry Level (P10)$42,794$49,335Top Earner (P90)$78,007$99,440US Median $48,239

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for pharmacy technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Moreno Valley.

The salary gap between Moreno Valley and San Francisco is $7,592 (13.50%). San Francisco's median is +32.35% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Moreno Valley spans $35,213,San Francisco spans $50,105. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Moreno Valley
P10 (Entry)$42,794
P25$45,477
Median$56,252
P75$64,032
P90 (Top)$78,007
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$49,335
P25$53,806
Median$63,844
P75$85,870
P90 (Top)$99,440

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($55,222 effective) pays 11.03% more than Moreno Valley ($49,737 effective).

Moreno Valley
Nominal: $56,252
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $49,737
San Francisco
Nominal: $63,844
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $55,222

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Moreno Valley if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,844/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,440)
  • Larger job market (4,040 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,222)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Moreno Valley grew -10.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.4% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Moreno Valley, CA

+-10.1%

$59,358 (2024) → $53,350 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+26.4%

$47,900 (2019) → $60,550 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Moreno Valley or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $63,844/year, compared to Moreno Valley at $56,252/year — a difference of $7,592 (13.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Moreno Valley and San Francisco?

Moreno Valley pharmacy technicians earn $27.05/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $30.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Moreno Valley to San Francisco as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Moreno Valley and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Moreno Valley = $49,737, San Francisco = $55,222), job availability (53 vs 4,040 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Moreno Valley vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $42,794 in Moreno Valley and $49,335 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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