Pharmacy Technician Salary in Modesto, CA
Pharmacy Technicians in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median $50,540 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,050 take-home, or $3,421 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median pharmacy technician salary in Modesto, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,885
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,133
- Medicare (1.45%)$733
- California income tax$1,082
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$657
- Take-home pay$41,050
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Pharmacy Technician pay by experience in Modesto, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,080 | $19.27 | $33,271 | $2,773 |
| 25th percentile | $46,350 | $22.28 | $37,976 | $3,165 |
| Median (50th) | $50,540 | $24.30 | $41,050 | $3,421 |
| 75th percentile | $60,250 | $28.97 | $48,143 | $4,012 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,830 | $33.09 | $54,063 | $4,505 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $50,540 buys in Modesto, CA
Prices in Modesto, CA are 4.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.08× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median pharmacy technician's $41,050 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,430 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Pharmacy Technician jobs are about as common in Modesto, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for pharmacy technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Modesto, CA ranks #62 of 167 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $75,490 | $58,129 | $52,642 |
| 2 | Spokane, WA | $57,830 | $48,646 | $48,479 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $61,320 | $51,451 | $46,296 |
| 4 | Killeen, TX | $47,400 | $40,266 | $44,184 |
| 5 | Shreveport, LA | $44,890 | $37,289 | $43,990 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $58,470 | $46,843 | $43,914 |
| 7 | Vallejo, CA | $58,670 | $46,989 | $43,316 |
| 8 | Sioux Falls, SD | $45,610 | $38,828 | $42,841 |
| 62 | Modesto, CA | $50,540 | $41,050 | $39,430 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 167 metros →
Pharmacy Technician salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $75,490
- Sacramento, CA — $58,470
- Vallejo, CA — $58,670
- San Francisco, CA — $60,550
- Fresno, CA — $52,210
- Stockton, CA — $52,160
- San Diego, CA — $54,500
- Bakersfield, CA — $48,110
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacy technician make in Modesto, CA?
The median pharmacy technician salary in the Modesto, CA metro area is $50,540 a year, or about $24.30 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,350 and $60,250.
What is a pharmacy technician’s take-home pay in Modesto, CA?
On the median $50,540 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $41,050 a year ($3,421 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,739 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Modesto, CA a good place to work as a pharmacy technician?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $45,750. Local prices are 4.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,430 would in a typical U.S. city. Modesto, CA ranks #62 of 167 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacy technician afford rent in Modesto, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Modesto, CA is $1,356 a month ($1,758 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median pharmacy technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
- Registered Nurse — $132,590
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $78,200
- Emergency Medical Technician — $47,160