Pharmacy Technician salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A pharmacy technician in California earns a median of $55,110 a year ($26.50/hour equivalent), 20.5% above the national median of $45,750. California ranks #2 of 51 states. About 39,860 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $44,398 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,708 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $2,119.62
- Federal income tax
- −$170.51
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$131.42
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$30.73
- California income tax
- −$51.77
- CA SDI
- −$27.56
- Take-home pay
- $1,707.63
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $55,110
- Federal
- $4,433
- FICA
- $4,216
- State + local
- $2,063
- Net
- $44,398
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 6.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington | $58,900 |
| #2 | California | $55,110 |
| #3 | Oregon | $54,900 |
| #4 | Alaska | $52,640 |
| #5 | Colorado | $49,970 |
| #49 | Alabama | $39,030 |
| #50 | Arkansas | $38,680 |
| #51 | West Virginia | $38,210 |
See the national pharmacy technician salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Pharmacy Technicians (SOC 29-2052), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacy technician make in California?
The median salary is $55,110 a year and the average is $58,330 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for pharmacy technicians?
California ranks #2 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 20% above the national median of $45,750.
What is $55,110 after taxes in California?
About $44,398 a year ($1,708 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.