California Median
$42,200
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $37,680
State Rank
#6 of 48
8,440 employed here
How much does a Pharmacy Aide make in California?
A Pharmacy Aide working in California earns a median salary of $42,200 per year, or about $20.29 per hour. That is 12% above the national median of $37,680 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $36,240 while the top 10% make $71,320 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,390 and $57,820 a year.
Pharmacy Aide salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,240 | $17.42 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,390 | $17.98 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,200 | $20.29 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,820 | $27.80 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,320 | $34.29 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 6th out of 48 states and territories for Pharmacy Aide pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Pharmacy Aide salary in other states
District of Columbia $59,960Utah $51,600Hawaii $46,250Washington $45,110Arizona $43,360Oregon $40,250Pennsylvania $39,470Nevada $39,080Texas $38,630Delaware $38,500Maine $38,060New York $38,040Rhode Island $38,020Missouri $37,820Idaho $37,690Colorado $37,580Ohio $37,500Minnesota $37,430Massachusetts $37,390New Hampshire $37,350Vermont $37,310Montana $37,140Wyoming $37,030Illinois $37,010Arkansas $36,860Wisconsin $36,660New Jersey $36,590New Mexico $36,390Virginia $36,390Connecticut $36,350Alabama $36,260South Carolina $36,140Michigan $36,130South Dakota $36,130Indiana $35,890North Carolina $35,530Maryland $35,170Florida $35,160Georgia $34,630Kentucky $34,610Louisiana $33,450Iowa $33,270Kansas $32,070Nebraska $31,610Oklahoma $30,360Tennessee $30,170Mississippi $28,380
Working as a Pharmacy Aide in California
Nationally, about 40,000 people work as Pharmacy Aides in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($42,200) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Pharmacy Aide make in California?
The median Pharmacy Aide salary in California is $42,200 per year, or about $20.29 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,240 at the entry level to $71,320 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Pharmacy Aides about 12% more than the national median of $37,680. California ranks 6th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Pharmacy Aides?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $42,200 a year. About 8,440 Pharmacy Aides are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Pharmacy Aide salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.