Pharmacy Technician Salary in Madera, CA: $54,439 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Madera, CA earns a median $54,439/year (≈ $26.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Madera's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $48,134 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Madera, California are expected to see a median annual salary of $54,439, surpassing the national average of $48,239 by approximately 12.85%. The salary range for this role spans from $44,070 at the 10th percentile to $72,489 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse earning potential based on experience, certification, and specific job responsibilities. These figures come from localized estimates based on BLS state-level data, adjusted for the regional cost of living, which is reflected in Madera's cost of living index of 113.1—indicative of higher living expenses compared to the national average. The landscape for pharmacy technicians here includes variable pay due to shift differentials, particularly for those working overnight, which adds an additional layer of compensation to the standard wage.
About the Madera Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,070 | $21.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,537 | $21.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,439 | $26.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,806 | $28.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,489 | $34.85 |
Median Salary Position
12.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madera
In Madera, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,419 (2026 est.). At $54,439, the local median is 12.85% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madera: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madera Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Madera median: $54,439/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madera Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,720 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +12.85% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Madera, CA earn a median of $54,439 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.85% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.30% below the California state average of $55,720.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madera has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madera, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,439 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,134 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,290
2025 BLS Actual
$51,630
2026 Current Est.
$54,439
2019–2027 Growth
+21.4%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Madera (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,444 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,439 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,400 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madera metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 9.2% from $47,290 (2019) to $51,630 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,400 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,110 (21.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madera 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) | $44,070 – $45,537 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,537 – $54,439 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,439 – $59,806 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,806 – $72,489 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Madera
As eight pharmacy technicians currently make up the workforce in Madera, opportunities remain competitive, particularly within specific health and retail settings. The cost of living index of 113.1 emphasizes that while salaries may be higher than the national average, purchasing power is tempered by local expenses. Employing organizations such as CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart generally offer retail roles, while hospitals may pay more — especially for sterile compounding positions compliant with USP <797> and <800> standards. The wage spread is influenced by factors like certification bonuses for CSPT credentials, shift differentials, and specialized roles versus general retail positions. Pharmacy technicians seeking to maximize their pay in Madera should consider gaining additional certifications and pursuing roles in higher-paying environments such as hospitals or specialty pharmacies, which not only offer better salaries but also opportunities for career advancement.
More salary data for Madera, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Madera?
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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 $51,630 for pharmacy techniciansin the Madera 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 Madera 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