Pharmacy Technician Salary in Temecula, CA: $56,984 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Temecula, CA earns a median $56,984/year (≈ $27.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Temecula's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $50,384 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Temecula, California, can expect a median annual salary of $56,984, reflecting a significant 18.13% increase over the national median of $48,239. The salary range for these professionals spans from $43,052 at the 10th percentile to $74,717 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, are influenced by various factors including local cost adjustments and employment settings. The presence of shift differentials and an overnight retail premium can further enhance earnings, especially in a market where the demand for skilled technicians is poised to expand. Temecula's pharmacy technician job market demonstrates strong compensation potential relative to many regions, largely tied to the area's unique retail dynamics and competitive hiring strategies.
About the Temecula Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,052 | $20.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,701 | $22.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,984 | $27.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,457 | $29.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,717 | $35.92 |
Median Salary Position
18.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Temecula
In Temecula, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,665 (2026 est.). At $56,984, the local median is 18.13% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Temecula: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Temecula Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Temecula median: $56,984/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Temecula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,757 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $48,239 | +18.13% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Temecula, CA earn a median of $56,984 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.13% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 2.20% above the California state average of $55,757.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Temecula has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Temecula, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,984 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,384 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,105
2025 BLS Actual
$54,044
2026 Current Est.
$56,984
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Temecula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,105 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,463 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,401 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,641 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,606 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,044 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,984 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,084 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Temecula metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $40,105 (2019) to $54,044 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,084 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,979 (49.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Temecula 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) | $43,052 – $47,701 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,701 – $56,984 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,984 – $61,457 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,457 – $74,717 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Temecula
When analyzing pharmacy technician pay in Temecula, CA, the local employment landscape reveals a concentrated workforce, with only 25 technicians currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power can be stretched. Among the various employers, retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens generally offer entry-level positions, while hospitals and specialty pharmacies often deliver higher wages, especially for those with CSPT certification or compliance experience in USP <797> and <800>. The gap between low and high pay reflects the differences in work settings; for instance, hospital and specialty roles tend to carry higher mobile pay structures due to the demanding nature of their work. To maximize potential earnings, aspiring pharmacy technicians should consider pursuing further certifications and seeking roles in higher-paying environments, particularly those requiring specialized skills or night shifts, which frequently come with additional stipends.
More salary data for Temecula, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Temecula?
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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 $54,044 for pharmacy techniciansin the Temecula 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 Temecula 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