Pharmacy Technician Salary in San Buenaventura, CA: $56,290 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in San Buenaventura, CA earns a median $56,290/year (≈ $27.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in San Buenaventura's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $49,770 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average salary for pharmacy technicians in San Buenaventura, California, is projected to reach an impressive $56,290, significantly outpacing the national median of $48,239 by roughly 16.69%. The local salary range extends from $45,629 at the 10th percentile to as high as $78,134 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust job market for those with specialized certifications. Moreover, the demand for credentialed pharmacy technicians, particularly those with the CSPT designation in sterile compounding, adds a premium to earnings. This reflects a growing recognition of the importance of compliance with USP <797> and <800> standards. Given the projected annual growth rate of 5.44%, prospective pharmacy technicians in San Buenaventura can anticipate favorable employment opportunities amid rising compensation in the field.
About the San Buenaventura Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,629 | $21.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,515 | $22.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,290 | $27.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,279 | $30.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,134 | $37.57 |
Median Salary Position
16.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Buenaventura
In San Buenaventura, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,505 (2026 est.). At $56,290, the local median is 16.69% above the national median of $48,239.
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At 40 hours/week in San Buenaventura: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Buenaventura Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
San Buenaventura median: $56,290/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Buenaventura Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,733 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +16.69% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in San Buenaventura, CA earn a median of $56,290 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.69% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 1.00% above the California state average of $55,733.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Buenaventura has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Buenaventura, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,290 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,770 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,616
2025 BLS Actual
$53,386
2026 Current Est.
$56,290
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in San Buenaventura (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,616 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,958 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,872 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,097 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,026 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,398 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,386 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,290 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,352 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Buenaventura metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $39,616 (2019) to $53,386 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,352 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,736 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Buenaventura 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) | $45,629 – $47,515 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,515 – $56,290 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,290 – $63,279 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,279 – $78,134 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in San Buenaventura
Beyond the impressive salary figures, the job market landscape for pharmacy technicians in San Buenaventura presents both challenges and opportunities. Currently, only 19 pharmacy technicians are employed within the area, indicating a competitive but limited workforce. Compounding this scenario is the local cost-of-living index of 113.1, which suggests that housing and other expenses slightly exceed national averages, impacting take-home pay. Major employers in the region, such as CVS and Walgreens, vie for talent, especially given the higher wages associated with hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialized roles. The disparity in pay is influenced by various factors, including job setting—hospital positions often offer better compensation compared to retail—shift differentials for overnight shifts, and the CSPT certification stipend. To maximize earning potential, aspiring pharmacy technicians should consider acquiring relevant credentials, seeking positions in higher-paying settings, and remaining flexible with regard to shift availability.
More salary data for San Buenaventura, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in San Buenaventura, CA in 2026?
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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 $53,386 for pharmacy techniciansin the San Buenaventura 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 Buenaventura 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