Pharmacy Technician Salary in San Bernardino, CA: $53,070 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in San Bernardino, CA earns a median $53,070/year (≈ $25.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in San Bernardino's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $46,923 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in San Bernardino, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $53,070, which is notably higher than the national median of $48,239. This local estimate reflects a full salary range from $38,056 on the lower end to $75,831 at the high end. The differentiation in pay is particularly pronounced between those working in hospital settings, particularly in sterile compounding environments governed by USP <797> and <800> regulations, and those employed in retail chains. The local job market's structure creates attractive opportunities for pharmacy technicians, especially given that figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors.
About the San Bernardino Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,056 | $18.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,232 | $21.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,070 | $25.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,625 | $28.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,831 | $36.46 |
Median Salary Position
10.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Bernardino
In San Bernardino, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,775 (2026 est.). At $53,070, the local median is 10.01% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Bernardino: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Bernardino Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
San Bernardino median: $53,070/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Bernardino Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,746 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +10.01% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in San Bernardino, CA earn a median of $53,070 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.01% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 4.80% below the California state average of $55,746.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Bernardino has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Bernardino, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,070 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,923 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,350
2025 BLS Actual
$50,332
2026 Current Est.
$53,070
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in San Bernardino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,615 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,575 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,336 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,651 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,332 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,070 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,957 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Bernardino metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $37,350 (2019) to $50,332 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,957 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,607 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Bernardino 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) | $38,056 – $44,232 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,232 – $53,070 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,070 – $58,625 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,625 – $75,831 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in San Bernardino
The San Bernardino area employs around 33 pharmacy technicians, and the cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating an above-average expense for goods and services. This cost reality affects take-home purchasing power significantly. Among the highest-paying employers in the region are hospital inpatient pharmacies, which often offer more competitive salaries than retail chains like CVS or Walgreens, particularly for those with certifications such as CSPT. Variances in pay can be attributed to several factors, such as shift differentials for overnight work, the impact of certifications, and the specific environments in which technicians operate. To maximize earnings, aspiring pharmacy technicians in San Bernardino should focus on gaining relevant certifications and experience in high-demand areas, ensuring they position themselves effectively within this evolving job market.
More salary data for San Bernardino, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in San Bernardino, CA in 2026?
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in San Bernardino?
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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 $50,332 for pharmacy techniciansin the San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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