How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in California (2026)
California employs about 39,860 pharmacy technicians earning a median $55,110 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Pharmacy Technician here means completing a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required, then applying through Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy.
Compare Pharmacy Technician Schools in California
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ventura Adult and Continuing Education | 77.6 | Contact school for pricing | $42,327 | Not reported | — | 83 mi |
| 2 | College of the Sequoias | 47.3 | Contact school for pricing | $44,147 | 36% | — | 63 mi |
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| 3 | San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | 45.3 | Contact school for pricing | $42,211 | 35% | Yes* | 63 mi |
| 4 | Institute of Technology | 44.2 | Contact school for pricing | $43,172 | 74% | — | 98 mi |
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| 5 | Glendale Career College-North-West College-Bakersfield | 42.1 | Contact school for pricing | $48,064 | 50% | — | 28 mi |
| 6 | San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster | 41.3 | Contact school for pricing | $42,211 | 49% | — | 95 mi |
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| 7 | San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | 39.0 | Contact school for pricing | $42,211 | 52% | — | 26 mi |
| 8 | High Desert Medical College | 38.6 | Contact school for pricing | $35,943 | 67% | — | 94 mi |
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| 9 | UEI College-Bakersfield | 31.7 | Contact school for pricing | $29,409 | 65% | — | 27 mi |
| 10 | UEI College-Fresno | 27.4 | Contact school for pricing | $29,409 | 58% | — | 94 mi |
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
California employs approximately 39,860 pharmacy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $55,110 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 49,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pharmacy Technician in California, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required
- Licensing authority: Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy
- Exam: PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT
- Median wage (California): $55,110 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in California
How to become a Pharmacy Technician in California? Complete a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required. Apply through Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy.
How long does it take? Most people finish a short pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training, a national exam (PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT), and board of pharmacy registration where required. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California credentials this role through Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy 3. See the licensing section below.
What do pharmacy technicians earn in California? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in California is $55,110 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,850 and experienced professionals can earn $81,190 or more 1.
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in California
- Meet basic requirements. Most California pharmacy technician programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age, background-check, and work-authorization rules with Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy.
- Complete a pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training. Finish a certificate or associate program in California, preferably ASHP-accredited, or employer training if the board allows it. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT. Many boards and employers require the PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT exam. Confirm which exam Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy accepts.
- Register with the state board of pharmacy. Apply through Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy before unsupervised work. Reciprocity, trainee cards, and fees vary; confirm with the board.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in California
Pharmacy technicians in California typically complete a short training program, pass PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT, and register with Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy. See Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy 3.
Typical path
Meet the board’s entry rules.
Complete a pharmacy technician program or board-allowed employer training.
Pass PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT if the board requires a national exam.
Register or license with Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy before unsupervised work.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy before you enroll.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in California
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), pharmacy technicians wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 13,130 | $50,760 | $55,600 | $39,820 | $78,850 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 4,630 | $50,270 | $54,440 | $39,290 | $76,830 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 4,040 | $60,550 | $67,690 | $46,790 | $94,310 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 3,600 | $54,500 | $58,640 | $44,310 | $81,190 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 2,820 | $58,470 | $61,150 | $44,480 | $83,120 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 1,780 | $75,490 | $76,740 | $47,770 | $99,470 |
| Fresno | 1,320 | $52,210 | $54,110 | $38,300 | $73,100 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 870 | $48,110 | $52,450 | $39,020 | $72,410 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 720 | $50,720 | $55,530 | $39,850 | $79,740 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 680 | $52,160 | $56,410 | $39,150 | $79,430 |
| Modesto | 480 | $50,540 | $54,010 | $40,080 | $68,830 |
| Vallejo | 440 | $58,670 | $62,920 | $45,230 | $86,390 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 420 | $56,580 | $56,780 | $43,250 | $73,090 |
| Visalia | 420 | $48,870 | $52,710 | $38,620 | $71,200 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 370 | $61,800 | $63,760 | $45,030 | $86,720 |
| Salinas | 360 | $57,180 | $56,360 | $44,940 | $70,310 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 320 | $56,530 | $59,050 | $43,350 | $78,760 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 260 | $50,100 | $57,870 | $43,700 | $85,420 |
| Chico | 220 | $56,320 | $55,470 | $38,750 | $72,240 |
| Redding | 220 | $52,860 | $55,500 | $38,920 | $77,310 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | 200 | $50,060 | $52,990 | $42,610 | $62,250 |
| Napa | 200 | $77,360 | $71,040 | $48,670 | $84,450 |
| Yuba City | 190 | $56,160 | $55,440 | $43,120 | $75,360 |
| Merced | 170 | $48,680 | $51,600 | $39,020 | $64,130 |
| El Centro | 160 | $51,130 | $51,730 | $38,900 | $62,250 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pharmacy technicians in California? California currently employs approximately 39,860 pharmacy technicians 1. Nationally, pharmacy technician employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a pharmacy technician in California with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in California.
How much do pharmacy technicians earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in California is $55,110, which is $11,650 above the national median of $43,460 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy - Licensing Information: https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |