Pharmacy Technician Salary in Rancho Cucamonga, CA: $56,498 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earns a median $56,498/year (≈ $27.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Rancho Cucamonga's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $49,954 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rancho Cucamonga, the projected median annual salary for pharmacy technicians in 2026 is $56,498, significantly exceeding the national average of $48,239. This competitive compensation is bolstered by various shift differentials and the overnight retail premium that can boost earnings for those working in local pharmacies. The salary ranges from $41,862 at the 10th percentile to $75,038 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse spectrum of pay rates based on experience, qualifications, and workplace settings. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the robust demand for skilled pharmacy technicians in the area—a market that particularly values certifications such as PTCB and CSPT, especially in hospital settings where compliance with USP <797> and <800> is critical.
About the Rancho Cucamonga Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,862 | $20.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,938 | $23.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,498 | $27.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,634 | $29.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,038 | $36.07 |
Median Salary Position
17.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rancho Cucamonga
In Rancho Cucamonga, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,176 (2026 est.). At $56,498, the local median is 17.12% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rancho Cucamonga: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rancho Cucamonga Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Rancho Cucamonga median: $56,498/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rancho Cucamonga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,718 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +17.12% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earn a median of $56,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.12% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.40% above the California state average of $55,718.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rancho Cucamonga has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,498 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,954 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,763
2025 BLS Actual
$53,583
2026 Current Est.
$56,498
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Rancho Cucamonga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,763 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,616 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,583 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,498 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,571 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rancho Cucamonga metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $39,763 (2019) to $53,583 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,571 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,808 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rancho Cucamonga 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) | $41,862 – $47,938 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,938 – $56,498 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,498 – $61,634 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,634 – $75,038 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Rancho Cucamonga
With a total of 46 pharmacy technicians employed locally, job opportunities are fairly stable, but the cost of living in Rancho Cucamonga, indicated by a cost of living index of 113.1, impacts take-home pay significantly. As housing and other expenses rise, technicians may find their purchasing power diminished despite higher wages. Major employers in the region include retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, which offer competitive pay, but hospital inpatient pharmacies typically provide the highest salaries. Variables influencing this wage spread include the setting where technicians work, the presence of factors like CSPT certifications, and potential stipends for night shifts. To maximize earnings in Rancho Cucamonga, aspiring pharmacy technicians should consider gaining experience in settings like hospitals and pursuing additional certifications, as these credentials can facilitate access to better-paying roles in a competitive labor market.
More salary data for Rancho Cucamonga, 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 $53,583 for pharmacy techniciansin the Rancho Cucamonga 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 Cucamonga 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