Pharmacy Technician Salary in Santa Clarita, CA: $56,946 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Santa Clarita, CA earns a median $56,946/year (≈ $27.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Santa Clarita's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $50,350 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacy technicians in Santa Clarita, California, can expect a median annual salary of $56,946 in 2026, reflecting a notable 18.05% increase over the national median for the same year, which is $48,239. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning approximately $44,148 and experienced technicians commanding up to $80,413 annually. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost factors. The local job market offers additional earnings potential through shift differentials and overnight retail premiums, which can be substantial in a city with a growing demand for pharmacy services.
About the Santa Clarita Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,148 | $21.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,844 | $22.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,946 | $27.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,413 | $38.66 |
Median Salary Position
18.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Clarita
In Santa Clarita, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,265 (2026 est.). At $56,946, the local median is 18.05% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Clarita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Clarita Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Santa Clarita median: $56,946/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Clarita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,720 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +18.05% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Santa Clarita, CA earn a median of $56,946 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.05% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.20% above the California state average of $55,720.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Clarita has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Clarita, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,946 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,350 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,078
2025 BLS Actual
$54,008
2026 Current Est.
$56,946
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Santa Clarita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,078 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,436 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,372 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,611 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,574 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,089 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,008 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,946 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,044 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Clarita metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $40,078 (2019) to $54,008 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,044 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,966 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Clarita 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) | $44,148 – $46,844 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,844 – $56,946 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,946 – $64,390 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,390 – $80,413 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Santa Clarita
In Santa Clarita, 41 pharmacy technicians are currently employed, underscoring a solid local job market amidst a cost-of-living index of 113.1. This figure indicates that while salaries appear higher than the national average, the purchasing power for residents may be impacted by local living expenses. Among employers, retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens typically offer competitive compensation, while hospital inpatient pharmacies and specialty operations tend to provide the highest pay. The wide disparity in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as the setting—hospital roles, especially those requiring sterile compounding (compliant with USP <797>/<800> standards), generally offer superior wages compared to retail positions. Additionally, pursuing certifications like the CSPT can lead to higher pay, especially in specialized sectors. For pharmacy technicians in Santa Clarita looking to maximize their earnings, focusing on night and weekend shifts, as well as seeking employment in hospitals or specialty areas, may yield the best financial outcomes.
More salary data for Santa Clarita, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $54,008 for pharmacy techniciansin the Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita 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