Pharmacy Technician Salary in Vacaville, CA: $55,620 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacy technician in Vacaville, CA earns a median $55,620/year (≈ $26.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2052). Once you factor in Vacaville's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $49,178 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacy technicians in Vacaville, California, can expect a median annual salary of $55,620, significantly higher than the national figure of $48,239. Salaries range from around $44,269 at the 10th percentile to $77,921 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of roles and settings available. These local estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted to account for regional cost variances. The difference in pay often aligns with the setting, with hospital sterile compounding roles typically offering higher compensation than retail pharmacy positions, highlighting the need for specialized skills in compliance with regulations such as USP <797> and <800>.
About the Vacaville Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,269 | $21.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,162 | $22.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,620 | $26.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,951 | $30.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,921 | $37.46 |
Median Salary Position
15.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vacaville
In Vacaville, CA, the pharmacy technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,652 (2026 est.). At $55,620, the local median is 15.3% above the national median of $48,239.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vacaville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vacaville Pharmacy Technician Pay Compares
Vacaville median: $55,620/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vacaville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,731 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $48,239 | +15.30% more |
Pharmacy Technicians in Vacaville, CA earn a median of $55,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.30% higher than the national median of $48,239 and 0.20% below the California state average of $55,731.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vacaville has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vacaville, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,620 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,178 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,145
2025 BLS Actual
$52,750
2026 Current Est.
$55,620
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacy Technicians in Vacaville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.44% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,145 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,361 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,572 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,466 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,620 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,645 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vacaville metropolitan area, the median pharmacy technician salary grew 34.8% from $39,145 (2019) to $52,750 (2025). At a 5.44% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,645 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,500 (49.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vacaville 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) | $44,269 – $46,162 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,162 – $55,620 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,620 – $62,951 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,951 – $77,921 |
CPhT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacy technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacy Technician Job Market in Vacaville
Currently, the job market in Vacaville for pharmacy technicians is relatively stable, with 15 employed in the area. However, the cost of living index sits at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power might be impacted by local living expenses. Employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and other retail pharmacy chains may provide different compensation levels compared to hospital inpatient positions, where roles demand higher qualifications and responsibilities. The disparity in wages often stems from factors like certifications, including the CSPT credential, shift differentials for overnight work, and the contrast between retail and hospital pay scales. Aspiring pharmacy technicians should consider pursuing further certifications and specialized training to maximize their earning potential within this evolving market in Vacaville, CA.
More salary data for Vacaville, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Vacaville, CA in 2026?
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Can pharmacy technicians make $100K in Vacaville?
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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 $52,750 for pharmacy techniciansin the Vacaville 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 Vacaville 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