Pharmacy Technician Salary in Long Beach, CA: $53,700 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Long Beach, CA earns a median $53,700/year (≈ $25.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $47,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the pharmacy technician salary in Long Beach is projected to reach a median of $53,700, reflecting a notable local advantage compared to the national median salary of $48,239. In this market, salaries span from $38,679 at the 10th percentile to $76,965 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse salary landscape. Various factors contribute to these earnings, including shift differentials and the demand for overnight retail coverage, which significantly enhance overall compensation. The estimates are drawn from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for state-level factors and regional cost of living, which is taken into account for prospective professionals considering a career in pharmacy technology in Long Beach, CA.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,679 | $18.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,888 | $21.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,700 | $25.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,554 | $29.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,965 | $37.00 |
Median Salary Position
11.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,286 (2026 est.). At $53,700, the local median is 11.32% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $53,700/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,763 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +11.32% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $53,700 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.32% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 3.70% below the California state average of $55,763.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,700 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,480 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,793
2025 BLS Actual
$50,929
2026 Current Est.
$53,700
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,793 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,073 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,899 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,068 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,862 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,958 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,929 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,700 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,621 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $37,793 (2019) to $50,929 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,621 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,828 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $38,679 – $44,888 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,888 – $53,700 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,700 – $61,554 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,554 – $76,965 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Long Beach
With 89 pharmacy technicians currently employed in Long Beach, the job market reflects a solid demand for skilled professionals in this sector. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, signaling a competitive environment where take-home purchasing power may be more constrained. Major employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and various hospital inpatient pharmacies typically offer higher pay, particularly for roles that require specialized certifications like CSPT or compliance with USP <797> standards. The observed spread in wages often depends on factors such as work setting—hospital sterile compounding tends to command higher salaries compared to retail—and the presence of additional compensation incentives such as lead pay or night shift differentials. Pharmacy technicians looking to maximize their pay in Long Beach might consider positions in specialty or inpatient settings which historically yield better financial rewards, coupled with obtaining advanced certifications to enhance their competitive edge in this evolving market.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Long Beach?
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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 $50,929 for pharmacy techniciansin the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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