How to Become A Pharmacy Technician in California
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.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Pharmacy Technician in California
How do I become a pharmacy technician in California? California requires credentials such as Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacist, Intern, Pharmacist, Registered. The licensing authority is the Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 240 hours of experience (roughly 0.1 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California has licensing or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. The Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy
- Median wage (California): $55,110 per year 1
Pharmacy Technician License Requirements in California
The Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Pharmacy oversees pharmacy technician licensing in California 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | Individuals who perform non-discretionary, repetitive tasks in a pharmacy, under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. |
| Pharmacist, Intern | An “Intern Pharmacist” is a person registered with the board who has completed the educational requirements determined by the board. |
| Pharmacist, Registered | Individuals wishing to engage in the dispensing of dangerous drugs and devices pursuant to prescriptions and other aspects of the pharmacy profession. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Pharmacy Technician Wages by Metro Area in California
Pharmacy Technicians Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 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 2025.
Top Metros for Pharmacy technicians in California
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest pharmacy technician employment within California according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 13,130 | $50,760 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 4,630 | $50,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 4,040 | $60,550 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 3,600 | $54,500 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 2,820 | $58,470 |
Explore More Trades in California
- Electrician in California
- Plumber in California
- HVAC Technician in California
- Welder in California
- Carpenter in California
- Solar Installation Technician in California
- Auto Mechanic in California
- CNC Machinist in California
- Certified Nursing Assistant in California
- Medical Assistant in California
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 apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited 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.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |