As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Retail Pharmacy Technician in California is $41,519 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.
However, a Retail Pharmacy Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Retail Pharmacy Technician Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $46,595 | $3,883 | $896 | $22 |
| Average | $41,519 | $3,460 | $798 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,113 | $3,176 | $733 | $18 |
Central Admixture Pharmacy - Santa Fe Springs, CA
CEDARS-SINAI - Los Angeles, CA
CEDARS-SINAI - Los Angeles, CA
Central Admixture Pharmacy Careers - Santa Fe Springs, CA
A Retail 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.
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 Retail 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:
For Retail Pharmacy Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Retail Pharmacy Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Retail Pharmacy Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $62,279 | $30.0 | 50% |
| Healthcare | $53,975 | $26.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $49,823 | $24.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Retail 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 | $46,595 | $3,883 | $896 | $22 |
| Average | $41,519 | $3,460 | $798 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,113 | $3,176 | $733 | $18 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Retail Pharmacy Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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