Pharmacy Technician salary in San Jose, CA
Median pay, San Jose / Silicon Valley metro
$75,490/year
about $36.29 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $56,310 – $88,820
Half of pharmacy technicians in the San Jose / Silicon Valley metro area earn more than $75,490 a year and half earn less. That's 65% higher than the national median of $45,750, and ranks #1 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| 25th | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Median (50th) | $75,490 | $36.29 |
| 75th | $88,820 | $42.70 |
| 90th (top earners) | $99,470 | $47.82 |
*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 Jose / Silicon Valley metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $56,310 ($27.07/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $56,310 to $88,820 ($27.07 to $42.70/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $88,820 ($42.70/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 Jose / Silicon Valley metro. Occupation: Pharmacy Technicians (SOC 29-2052). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.