Pharmacy Technician Salary in Davis, CA: $53,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Davis, CA earns a median $53,940/year (≈ $25.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Davis's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $47,692 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 projected median annual salary for pharmacy technicians in Davis, California, is $53,940, reflecting a 5.44% growth rate that highlights the increasing demand for skilled technicians in the area. With a salary range spanning from $42,831 at the 10th percentile to $70,815 at the 90th percentile, there is significant potential for variance based on sector and experience. Local estimates are informed by regional price adjustments, making this salary competitive, especially when compared to the national median of $48,239. Notably, having credentials such as the CSPT (Certified Sterile Compounding Technician) can significantly enhance earning potential, as specialized skills in sterile compounding are increasingly sought after in the market, which is characterized by a blend of retail and hospital pharmacy settings.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,831 | $20.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,535 | $21.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,940 | $25.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,791 | $28.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,815 | $34.05 |
Median Salary Position
11.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
In Davis, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,984 (2026 est.). At $53,940, the local median is 11.82% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davis Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Davis median: $53,940/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,723 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +11.82% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Davis, CA earn a median of $53,940 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.82% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 3.20% below the California state average of $55,723.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davis has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davis, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,940 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,692 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,962
2025 BLS Actual
$51,157
2026 Current Est.
$53,940
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,962 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,248 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,082 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,256 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,063 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,917 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,157 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,874 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davis metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $37,962 (2019) to $51,157 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,874 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,912 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis 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) | $42,831 – $44,535 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,535 – $53,940 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,940 – $59,791 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,791 – $70,815 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Davis
While there are currently only 14 pharmacy technicians employed in Davis, the market remains buoyed by a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which indicates that higher wages are necessary for maintaining purchasing power in the area. Employers such as local hospital pharmacies typically pay more than retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, especially for roles requiring CSPT certification or those demanding shift differentials for overnight hours. This variation in pay is driven by multiple factors, including the complexity of the job setting, the necessity for compliance with stringent safety regulations (e.g., USP <797> and <800>), and the overall competitive landscape of the pharmacy sector. For pharmacy technicians seeking to maximize their salary in this environment, pursuing specialized training and certifications, such as PTCB or NHA ExCPT, can be advantageous, particularly given the rising wages in the sector and the potential for career advancement into supervisory or specialized roles.
More salary data for Davis, 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 $51,157 for pharmacy techniciansin the Davis 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 Davis 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