Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $25.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacy technician working in Los Angeles, CA runs $25.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,521 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,108 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Los Angeles, CA, can expect an hourly median pay of $25.73, outpacing the national median of $23.19. This competitive rate reflects the significant role pharmacy technicians play in various settings, from bustling retail counters to specialized hospital environments. For those working part-time, roughly three days a week, this hourly rate can translate into a dependable income when combined with flexible scheduling options. Entry-level technicians might start around $20.18 per hour, while seasoned professionals in top-tier roles can earn upwards of $39.97 per hour. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the broad spectrum of opportunities available in the pharmacy field across Los Angeles.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.18 | $161.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.90 | $183.21 |
| Median (P50) | $25.73 | $205.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.89 | $255.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.97 | $319.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $25.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.73/hr, a pharmacy technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $53,513 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,873. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,029.09 | $4,459 | $53,513 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $617.46 | $2,676 | $32,108 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $411.64 | $1,784 | $21,405 |
Compare CPhT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician (Los Angeles) | $25.73 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $53,521 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.95% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 4.00% below the California state average of $55,751.
Pharmacy Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.73/hr = $32,108/year (purchasing power: $28,272).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,513/year (purchasing power: $47,121).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacy technicians in Los Angeles grew 15.1% from $21.20/hr (2019) to $24.40/hr (2025). At a 5.44% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.13/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
Evaluating the financial viability of part-time roles reveals that a pharmacy technician working 24 hours a week could annualize earnings to a respectable sum—approximately $32,000 before taxes—if paid at the median hourly rate. For those considering per diem positions, the pay can vary significantly; many pharmacy technicians charge between $20 and $32 per hour, while hospital sterile compounding roles can fetch between $25 and $40 per hour, especially in areas experiencing staffing shortages. Different employer types also play a role in shaping these hourly rates; retail chains like CVS and Walgreens typically offer lower wages compared to inpatient hospital pharmacies and specialty operations, which often provide higher salaries. Some technicians may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for essential benefits like health insurance, illustrating the trade-offs in this profession. For those seeking to maximize wage potential, negotiating salary based on local market conditions and expected duties is key to securing the best pay possible in Los Angeles.
More salary data for Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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