Pharmacy Technician salary in San Francisco, CA
Median pay, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland)
$60,550/year
about $29.11 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $51,030 – $81,440
Half of pharmacy technicians in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area earn more than $60,550 a year and half earn less. That's 32% higher than the national median of $45,750, and ranks #3 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| 25th | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Median (50th) | $60,550 | $29.11 |
| 75th | $81,440 | $39.15 |
| 90th (top earners) | $94,310 | $45.34 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a pharmacy technician job in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $51,030 ($24.53/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $51,030 to $81,440 ($24.53 to $39.15/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $81,440 ($39.15/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Certification (such as CPhT) is required in many states and often comes with higher pay.
- Hospital pharmacy roles often pay more than retail pharmacy roles.
- Ask about evening, weekend and holiday shifts, and any differential pay for them.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland). Occupation: Pharmacy Technicians (SOC 29-2052). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.