Pharmacy Technician Salary in Sacramento, CA: $61,651 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Sacramento, CA earns a median $61,651/year (≈ $29.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $57,796 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.6% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Sacramento, CA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,651 in 2026, a figure that significantly outpaces the national median of $48,239. The salary range for this role varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting at $46,900 (P10) and top earners making as much as $87,642 (P90). Data sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates that the local job market is not only robust but also reflects the higher demand for technicians who are capable of specialized functions, such as sterile compounding in hospitals, compared to traditional retail pharmacy roles. This growth is fueled by the long-standing challenges in staffing, particularly as the industry adapts to the surge in vaccination roles and changing healthcare dynamics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,900 | $22.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,906 | $24.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,651 | $29.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,547 | $39.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,642 | $42.13 |
Median Salary Position
27.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,742 (2026 est.). At $61,651, the local median is 27.8% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sacramento Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $61,651/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,742 | +10.60% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +27.80% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $61,651 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.80% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 10.60% above the California state average of $55,742.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,651 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,796 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,600
2025 BLS Actual
$58,470
2026 Current Est.
$61,651
2019–2027 Growth
+49.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,651 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,005 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.1% from $43,600 (2019) to $58,470 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,005 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,405 (49.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $46,900 – $50,906 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,906 – $61,651 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,651 – $81,547 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,547 – $87,642 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Sacramento
In Sacramento, approximately 2,820 pharmacy technicians are currently employed, making for a competitive job market. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67, take-home pay can be impacted, requiring prospective pharmacy techs to consider location and employer when evaluating compensation. Employers like hospital pharmacies generally offer higher wages than retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens. The pay spectrum is influenced by several factors, including the location of employment, the scope of practice, and additional qualifications such as CSPT certification, which can lead to premium pay. To maximize earnings in Sacramento, technicians should seek positions in sterile compounding or specialty pharmacies, where higher pay tiers are prevalent. Working overnight shifts or obtaining advanced certifications can also enhance pay potential significantly in this growing market.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 $58,470 for pharmacy techniciansin the Sacramento 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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