Pharmacy Technicians pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $44,310 a year or less, while the top 10% make $81,190 or more. The middle half of pharmacy technicians in San Diego earn between $47,920 and $66,750.
- $44K10th
- $48K25th
- $54KMedian
- $67K75th
- $81K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $58,640 | $4,887 | $28.19 |
| Median | $54,500 | $4,542 | $26.20 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $47,920 | $3,993 | $23.04 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $66,750 | $5,562 | $32.09 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Pharmacy Technicians pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Pharmacy technicians in San Diego earn about the same as the California average ($58,330) and 26% more than the U.S. average ($46,620). At the median the gap is +19% against the U.S. median of $45,750.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $58,640 | $54,500 | $44,310 | $81,190 | 3,600 |
| California | $58,330 | $55,110 | $42,850 | $81,190 | 39,860 |
| United States | $46,620 | $45,750 | $36,020 | $61,040 | 471,680 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Pharmacy Technicians salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $58,640, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $47,586 a year, or $3,966 a month and $1,830 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for pharmacy technicians? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $58,640 buys what about $52,410 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 16.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Pharmacy Technicians salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 8th of 25 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($76,740).
- San Jose$76,740
- Napa$71,040
- San Francisco$67,690
- Santa Rosa$63,760
- Vallejo$62,920
- Sacramento$61,150
- San Luis Obispo$59,050
- San Diego$58,640
- Santa Cruz$57,870
- Santa Maria$56,780
Highest-paying cities for pharmacy technicians
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($76,740).
- San Jose, CA$76,740
- Napa, CA$71,040
- San Francisco, CA$67,690
- Seattle, WA$64,360
- Santa Rosa, CA$63,760
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Pharmacy Technicians salary in San Diego: questions
How much do pharmacy technicians make an hour in San Diego?
$28.19 an hour on average, and $26.20 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level pharmacy technicians salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $44,310 a year and the 25th percentile is $47,920, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the pharmacy technicians take-home pay in San Diego?
About $47,586 a year ($3,966 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $58,640. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do pharmacy technicians earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 26% more than the U.S. average for this job ($46,620).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-2052; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.77, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.77).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.