Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Fontana, CA: $27.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Fontana, CA runs $27.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,961 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Fontana's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $24.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,779 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Fontana, California earn a median hourly rate of $27.87, significantly higher than the national median of $23.19. This elevated pay reflects the increasing demand for pharmacy services and the role technicians play in various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital sterile compounding rooms, and mail-order fulfillment lines. For those opting for part-time roles, such as working three days a week, the hourly rate can translate into a comfortable income while balancing other commitments. The hourly wage for pharmacy technicians in Fontana ranges from approximately $20.31 for entry-level positions to around $38.43 for more experienced professionals, meaning that a skilled technician can expect to command a respectable wage as they gain experience and possibly specialized certifications like CSPT.
About the Fontana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.31 | $162.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.87 | $174.95 |
| Median (P50) | $27.87 | $222.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.04 | $248.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.43 | $307.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fontana
Based on $27.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.87/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fontana, CA can expect to earn approximately $57,965 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,441. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fontana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fontana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,114.71 | $4,830 | $57,965 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $668.83 | $2,898 | $34,779 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $445.88 | $1,932 | $23,186 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Fontana) | $27.87 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
Pharmacy Technicians in Fontana, CA earn a median of $57,961 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.15% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 4.00% above the California state average of $55,732.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.87/hr = $34,779/year (purchasing power: $30,751).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,965/year (purchasing power: $51,251).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Fontana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Fontana grew 34.8% from $19.61/hr (2019) to $26.43/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.38/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacy technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fontana metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.44% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacy Technician in Fontana
When considering part-time positions, technicians working a standard schedule of 24 hours per week could take home an annual income that allows for a good standard of living in the Fontana area, especially when compared to the higher cost of living index in California. Per-diem pharmacy technician pay in Fontana also reflects varied opportunities, with compensation ranging between $20 to $40 per hour depending on the employer and specific duties, such as sterile compounding in hospital settings. Some retail chains might offer lower hourly rates, yet come with benefits like health insurance that are attractive to some workers. Navigating pay discussions can benefit from understanding wage expectations specific to local employers and being prepared to negotiate for better pay or benefits, especially in high-demand areas like sterile compounding, which remains a lucrative niche for certified technicians. Given the upward wage trends and the growth rate projected at 5.44%, now is a promising time for pharmacy technicians in Fontana to cultivate their careers.
More salary data for Fontana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacy technicians in Fontana. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fontana is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.44%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacy technicians (SOC 29-2052).
Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov