Pharmacy Tech Pay

Oxnard vs San Francisco: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

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

Oxnard, CA
$53,479
$25.71/hr
San Francisco, CA
$63,844
$30.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOxnard, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$53,479$63,844
Hourly Rate$25.71$30.69
Entry Level (P10)$42,018$49,335
25th Percentile$48,777$53,806
75th Percentile$64,339$85,870
Top Earner (P90)$84,078$99,440
Total Employed7204,040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oxnard ($53,479) and San Francisco ($63,844) pharmacy technician salaries.OxnardSan FranciscoMedian Salary$53,479$63,844Entry Level (P10)$42,018$49,335Top Earner (P90)$84,078$99,440US Median $48,239

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Oxnard and San Francisco is $10,365 (19.38%). 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 Oxnard spans $42,060,San Francisco spans $50,105. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Oxnard
P10 (Entry)$42,018
P25$48,777
Median$53,479
P75$64,339
P90 (Top)$84,078
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 14.14% more than Oxnard ($48,382 effective).

Oxnard
Nominal: $53,479
CoL Index: 110.534
Adjusted: $48,382
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 Oxnard 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 Oxnard grew 23.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.4% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Oxnard, CA

+23.6%

$41,040 (2019) → $50,720 (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: Oxnard or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $63,844/year, compared to Oxnard at $53,479/year — a difference of $10,365 (19.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oxnard and San Francisco?

Oxnard pharmacy technicians earn $25.71/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $30.69/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oxnard and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oxnard = $48,382, San Francisco = $55,222), job availability (720 vs 4,040 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $42,018 in Oxnard 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