Pharmacy Technician Salary in Murrieta, CA: $55,620 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Murrieta, CA earns a median $55,620/year (≈ $26.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Murrieta's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $49,178 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, pharmacy technicians in Murrieta, California, earn a median annual salary of $55,620, which is notably higher than the national median of $48,239. The salary range for this role spans from $44,269 at the lower end (P10) to $75,706 at the higher end (P90), indicating a competitive market for skilled professionals. These figures are reflective of regional cost adjustments and projected estimates based on 2025 BLS data. Given the hospital environment, where sterile compounding under USP <797> and <800> compliance often prevails, it's not surprising that those in such specialized roles typically command higher wages compared to their retail counterparts. As a result, the disparity between hospital and retail pharmacy technician pay remains significant, shaping the job landscape in Murrieta.
About the Murrieta Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,269 | $21.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,162 | $22.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,620 | $26.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,037 | $30.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,706 | $36.40 |
Median Salary Position
15.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murrieta
In Murrieta, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,437 (2026 est.). At $55,620, the local median is 15.3% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murrieta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murrieta Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Murrieta median: $55,620/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murrieta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,731 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +15.30% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Murrieta, CA earn a median of $55,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.30% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.20% below the California state average of $55,731.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murrieta has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Murrieta, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,620 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,178 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,145
2025 BLS Actual
$52,750
2026 Current Est.
$55,620
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Murrieta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,145 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,361 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,572 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,466 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,620 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,645 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murrieta metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $39,145 (2019) to $52,750 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,645 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,500 (49.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murrieta 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) | $44,269 – $46,162 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,162 – $55,620 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,620 – $63,037 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,037 – $75,706 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Murrieta
With 25 pharmacy technicians currently employed in the area, Murrieta presents a relatively stable job market for this profession. However, prospective technicians should consider the local cost of living index, which stands at 113.1; this means that while salaries are competitive, the take-home pay may not stretch as far as in regions with lower living costs. Employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and hospital inpatient pharmacies contribute significantly to the local job pool, but the highest pay often comes from specialized settings like hospital sterile compounding and compounding pharmacies. Factors such as shift differentials, CSPT certification stipends, and experience can further influence the pay scale. For technicians looking to enhance their earnings, pursuing additional certifications like the CSPT and seeking positions within hospitals or specialty pharmacies can be effective strategies in maximizing their pharmacological pay in Murrieta, CA.
More salary data for Murrieta, 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 $52,750 for pharmacy techniciansin the Murrieta 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 Murrieta 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