Pharmacy Technician Salary in San Clemente, CA: $55,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in San Clemente, CA earns a median $55,428/year (≈ $26.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in San Clemente's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $49,008 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Clemente, California, the estimated median annual pharmacy technician salary is projected at $55,428 for 2026, reflecting a notable 14.90% increase compared to the national median of $48,239. The salary range for pharmacy technicians in the area spans from $41,968 at the 10th percentile to $75,792 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale influenced by various employment settings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, while also considering regional cost adjustments. As employment opportunities in pharmacy practice evolve, the San Clemente market remains dynamic, particularly with the compensation gradient that places hospital sterile compounding roles above retail positions.
About the San Clemente Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,968 | $20.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,343 | $22.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,428 | $26.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,041 | $29.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,792 | $36.44 |
Median Salary Position
14.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Clemente
In San Clemente, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,824 (2026 est.). At $55,428, the local median is 14.9% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Clemente: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Clemente Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
San Clemente median: $55,428/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Clemente Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,762 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +14.90% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in San Clemente, CA earn a median of $55,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.90% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.60% below the California state average of $55,762.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Clemente has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Clemente, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,428 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,008 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,009
2025 BLS Actual
$52,568
2026 Current Est.
$55,428
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in San Clemente (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,009 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,331 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,215 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,422 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,306 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,487 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,568 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,443 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Clemente metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $39,009 (2019) to $52,568 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,443 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,434 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Clemente 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) | $41,968 – $46,343 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,343 – $55,428 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,428 – $62,041 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,041 – $75,792 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in San Clemente
Analyzing the local job market reveals that only 10 pharmacy technicians are currently employed in San Clemente, which suggests a tight labor pool amid growing demand. The cost of living index in the region stands at 113.1, meaning that while salaries are above the national average, purchasing power may be constrained by higher expenses. Employers that typically offer higher wages include hospital inpatient pharmacies, especially those focusing on sterile compounding, which reflect the rigorous compliance standards set by USP <797> and <800>. Factors that drive the disparity in pay include specialized credentials like the CSPT, shift differentials for overnight roles, and the competitive landscape between retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens versus hospital settings. To maximize pay in San Clemente, prospective pharmacy technicians should consider pursuing advanced certifications and targeting roles in higher-paying environments while also being mindful of shifts and responsibilities that can enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for San Clemente, 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 $52,568 for pharmacy techniciansin the San Clemente 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 Clemente 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