Pharmacy Technician Salary in El Monte, CA: $57,186 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in El Monte, CA earns a median $57,186/year (≈ $27.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in El Monte's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $50,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average pharmacy technician salary in El Monte, CA, is projected to be $57,186, which is significantly higher than the national median salary of $48,239. The salary range for pharmacy technicians here spans from $43,528 at the 10th percentile to $77,531 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust job market for this occupation. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, reflecting the local demand and the setting in which technicians work — those in hospital sterile compounding roles typically earn more than their counterparts in retail settings. El Monte's pharmacy technician pay shows a clear advantage for those pursuing specialized roles or additional certifications, highlighting the potential for career advancement in this growing field.
About the El Monte Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,528 | $20.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,957 | $22.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,186 | $27.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,188 | $30.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,531 | $37.27 |
Median Salary Position
18.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Monte
In El Monte, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,003 (2026 est.). At $57,186, the local median is 18.55% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Monte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Monte Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
El Monte median: $57,186/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Monte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,737 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +18.55% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in El Monte, CA earn a median of $57,186 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.55% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.60% above the California state average of $55,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Monte has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Monte, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,186 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,562 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,247
2025 BLS Actual
$54,236
2026 Current Est.
$57,186
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in El Monte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,247 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,611 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,555 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,775 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,343 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,236 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,186 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,297 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Monte metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $40,247 (2019) to $54,236 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,297 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,050 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Monte 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) | $43,528 – $45,957 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,957 – $57,186 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,186 – $63,188 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,188 – $77,531 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in El Monte
The job market for pharmacy technicians in El Monte employs around 20 professionals, indicative of a compact yet competitive local environment. The cost-of-living index of 113.1 suggests that housing and everyday expenses are higher than the national average, which influences overall purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital inpatient pharmacies tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly for those holding certifications like CSPT or who can manage sterile compounding in adherence to USP <797> and <800> standards. Factors driving wage variation include the type of pharmacy setting, the impact of shift differentials, and the presence of credential stipends. Technicians looking to maximize their pay should consider specialized training and pursuing roles in hospitals or specialty pharmacies, which command better compensation compared to retail chains.
More salary data for El Monte, 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 $54,236 for pharmacy techniciansin the El Monte 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 El Monte 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