Pharmacy Technician Salary in Rancho Cordova, CA: $55,278 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Rancho Cordova, CA earns a median $55,278/year (≈ $26.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Rancho Cordova's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $48,875 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Rancho Cordova, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $55,278, which is significantly higher than the national median of $48,239, reflecting a 14.59% increase. The salary range for this occupation spans from $41,671 at the 10th percentile to $75,287 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive market for both entry-level and experienced technicians. Estimates are drawn from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price differences, which underlines the potential for enhanced earnings in this area. Factors such as shift differentials and overnight retail premiums can further impact overall compensation, making Rancho Cordova's job market for pharmacy technicians particularly appealing.
About the Rancho Cordova Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,671 | $20.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,248 | $22.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,278 | $26.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,628 | $28.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,287 | $36.20 |
Median Salary Position
14.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rancho Cordova
In Rancho Cordova, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,616 (2026 est.). At $55,278, the local median is 14.59% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rancho Cordova: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rancho Cordova Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Rancho Cordova median: $55,278/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rancho Cordova Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,724 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +14.59% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Rancho Cordova, CA earn a median of $55,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.59% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.80% below the California state average of $55,724.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rancho Cordova has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rancho Cordova, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,278 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,875 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,904
2025 BLS Actual
$52,426
2026 Current Est.
$55,278
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Rancho Cordova (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,904 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,222 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,101 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,304 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,181 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,329 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,426 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,278 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,285 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rancho Cordova metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $38,904 (2019) to $52,426 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,285 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,381 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rancho Cordova 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) | $41,671 – $47,248 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,248 – $55,278 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,278 – $59,628 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,628 – $75,287 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Rancho Cordova
The local job market for pharmacy technicians in Rancho Cordova consists of around 20 individuals currently employed in this role. However, the cost-of-living index is at 113.1, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home pay. Employers like CVS, Walgreens, and hospital inpatient pharmacies typically offer the most competitive pay in the area, often influenced by different settings and responsibilities. Shift differentials, especially for overnight and weekend hours, play a significant role in narrowing the pay gap, with hospital roles, particularly those compliant with USP <797> or <800>, commanding the highest wages. To maximize earning potential, aspiring pharmacy technicians should consider obtaining certifications like the CSPT and seek employment in settings with higher compensation scales, such as specialty and hospital pharmacies.
More salary data for Rancho Cordova, 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 $52,426 for pharmacy techniciansin the Rancho Cordova 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 Rancho Cordova 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