Pharmacy Technician Salary in Carson, CA: $54,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Carson, CA earns a median $54,624/year (≈ $26.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Carson's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $48,297 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carson, California, pharmacy technicians can expect to earn a median annual salary of $54,624 in 2026, which is notably higher than the projected national median of $48,239. The local salary range spans from $44,514 at the 10th percentile to $75,236 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust wage distribution for this profession. These data points are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. The presence of specialty pharmacies and hospital settings, particularly those focused on sterile compounding (CSPT credential holders), significantly enhances the earning potential for pharmacy technicians in Carson, showcasing a favorable job market for credentialed professionals.
About the Carson Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,514 | $21.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,913 | $22.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,624 | $26.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,064 | $27.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,236 | $36.17 |
Median Salary Position
13.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carson
In Carson, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,722 (2026 est.). At $54,624, the local median is 13.24% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carson Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Carson median: $54,624/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,739 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +13.24% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Carson, CA earn a median of $54,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.24% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.00% below the California state average of $55,739.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carson has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carson, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,624 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,297 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,444
2025 BLS Actual
$51,806
2026 Current Est.
$54,624
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Carson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,444 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,746 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,603 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,792 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,635 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,639 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,806 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,596 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carson metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $38,444 (2019) to $51,806 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,596 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,152 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carson 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,514 – $45,913 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,913 – $54,624 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,624 – $58,064 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,064 – $75,236 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Carson
With 21 pharmacy technicians currently employed in the area, the job market is relatively concentrated, allowing for potential specialization and upward mobility. The local cost of living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while earnings may be competitive, purchasing power might be impacted by higher living expenses. Employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and hospital pharmacies generally offer the most competitive pay, especially in departments that require compliance with regulations like USP <797> and <800> for sterile compounding. Factors like certification bonuses, shift differentials for overnight roles, and the type of pharmacy setting contribute to the differences in compensation levels. Aspiring professionals seeking higher pharmacy technician pay in Carson, CA, should consider obtaining their CSPT credential and exploring opportunities in specialty or inpatient pharmacy settings to maximize their earnings.
More salary data for Carson, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $51,806 for pharmacy techniciansin the Carson metropolitan area. A 5.44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Carson 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