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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Pharmacy Technician in California is $50,870 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.
However, a Senior Pharmacy Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Senior Pharmacy Technician Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $55,850 | $4,654 | $1,074 | $27 |
| Average | $50,870 | $4,239 | $978 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $885 | $22 |
Adventist Health System - Bakersfield, CA
National Pharmacy - Los Angeles, CA
Adventist Health System - Tehachapi, CA
Cedars-Sinai - Beverly Hills, CA
A Senior Pharmacy Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Pharmacy Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Pharmacy Technician | 0-1 years | $42,443 |
| Senior Pharmacy Technician | 1-3 years | $50,860 |
| Pharmacy Technician Team Leader | 3+ years | $73,863 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Senior Pharmacy Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Senior Pharmacy Technician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $56,864. While startup companies pay approximate $48,187.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $48,187 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $50,942 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $54,929 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $56,864 |
For Senior Pharmacy Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Senior Pharmacy Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Pharmacy Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $71,218 | $34.0 | 40% |
| Biotechnology | $61,044 | $29.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $55,957 | $27.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Senior Pharmacy Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $55,850 | $4,654 | $1,074 | $27 |
| Average | $50,870 | $4,239 | $978 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $885 | $22 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Senior Pharmacy Technician, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician Team Leader | $73,900 | 45% |
| Formulary Operations Manager | $188,600 | 271% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Pharmacy Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Providence Health & Services
Mission Viejo, CA
Providence Health & Services | Mission Viejo, CA
Providence Health & Services - - Responsibilities: Fill/dispense oral and IV medications. Triage patient orders. Maintain automated dispensing system integ... more
2 Days Ago
USA Government Jobs
Long Beach, CA
USA Government Jobs | Long Beach, CA
USA Government Jobs - - Responsibilities: Process, prepare, fill/dispense, label medications. Repackage unit doses and repackaged meds. Fill and deliver me... more
2 Days Ago
Cedars Sinai
West Hollywood, CA
Cedars Sinai | West Hollywood, CA
Pharmacy Technician. When the work you do every single day has a crucial impact on the lives of others, every effort, every detail, and every second matter... more
2 Days Ago
Prime Healthcare
Chino, CA
Prime Healthcare | Chino, CA
Prime Healthcare - JobID: 249257 [Pharmacy Tech] As a Pharmacy Technician at Prime Healthcare, you'll: Assist the Pharmacist, under his or her supervision,... more
4 Days Ago
3B Healthcare, Inc.
San Luis Obispo, CA
3B Healthcare, Inc. | San Luis Obispo, CA
Pharmacy Technician. Nestled on the Central California Coast, Adventist Health Sierra Vista has been providing care to our community since 1959. Our 162-be... more
4 Days Ago
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Long Beach, CA
US Department of Veterans Affairs | Long Beach, CA
Job Title. Pharmacy Technician. Duties. Duties may include but are not limited to. Performs a variety of complex technical functions following USP 797 guid... more
4 Days Ago
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