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In order to become a pharmacy tech in California, you will need to develop your skills and meet some requirements.
The industry is rewarding to work in, so read below for more info on how to achieve your dream.
Article Table of Contents
Training Requirements in California
The first step in starting your new career is to have a high school diploma or a GED.
After that, you will need to train in the field in order to receive a diploma.
There are several ways in which you can train, which include:
- Get an associate’s degree in Pharmacy technology from an accredited college
- Enroll in a program that lasts for 240 hours in a program that is approved by the Board
- Join the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists approved program
- Finish your training in a military branch
- Obtain a diploma from a program that is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
- Get a pharmacy tech license from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
How to Find the Right Program in California
California has many schools that provide pharmacy tech training, these including:
- Carrington College: provides associate degree programs as well as 9 month long programs
- American Career College: offers 9 month long courses and internships
- City College of San Francisco: offers both practical pieces of training as well as theory classes
- Penn Foster: provides an online program that is convenient for those who have a daily job, and an internship
Make sure to check out their requirements when it comes to enrolling as not all of them might have the same standards.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| American Auto Institute | 661 West Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, California 90247 |
| American Career College | 1200 N. Magnolia Ave., Anaheim, California 92801-0000 |
| American Career College | 4021 Rosewood Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90004 |
| American Career College | 3130 East Sedona Court, Ontario, California 91764 |
| American College of Healthcare | 6606 Pacific Blvd Ste 204, Huntington Park, California |
| American University of Health Sciences | 1600 East Hill St, Signal Hill, California 90755-3612 |
| Asher College | 1215 Howe Ave Suite 101, Sacramento, California 95825 |
| BioHealth College | 2665 N First St Ste 102, San Jose, California 95134 |
| Carrington College California | 7301 Greenback Lane, Ste A, Citrus Heights, California 95621 |
| Carrington College California | 380 Civic Dr., Ste. 300, Pleasant Hill, California 94523 |
| Carrington College California | 901 Corporate Center Drive, Ste. 300, Pomona, California 91768-2642 |
| Carrington College California | 8909 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, California 95826 |
| Carrington College California | 6201 San Ignacio Ave., San Jose, California 95119 |
| Carrington College California | 15555 E. 14th Street, Suite 500, San Leandro, California 94578-1977 |
| Carrington College California | 1313 W. Robinhood Drive, Suite B, Stockton, California 95207 |
| CBD College | 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Fourth Floor, Los Angeles, California 90010 |
| Cerritos College | 11110 Alondra Blvd, Norwalk, California 90650-6298 |
| Chaffey College | 5885 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, California 91737-3002 |
| Charles A Jones Career and Education Center | 5451 Lemon Hill Ave, Sacramento, California 95824-1529 |
| Charter College | 27125 Sierra Hwy Ste 329, Canyon Country, California 91351 |
| City College of San Francisco | 50 Phelan Ave, San Francisco, California 94112-1898 |
| College of the Sequoias | 915 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia, California 93277-2214 |
| Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa | 1214 Indiana Ct, Redlands, California 92374 |
| Cosumnes River College | 401 Center Parkway, Sacramento, California 95823-5799 |
| Downey Adult School | 12340 Woodruff Ave, Downey, California 90241 |
| Foothill College | 12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills, California 94022 |
| Galaxy Medical College | 6400 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Suite 270, North Hollywood, California 91606-1593 |
| Imperial Valley College | 380 E. Aten Road, Imperial, California 92251-0158 |
| Institute of Technology Inc | 564 W Herndon, Clovis, California 93612 |
| InterCoast Colleges | One Civic Plaza-Ste 110, Carson, California 90745 |
| Los Angeles ORT College | 6435 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90048 |
| Los Angeles ORT College | 14519 W.Sylvan Street, Van Nuys, California 91411 |
| North Orange County Community College District, School of Continuing Education | 1830 W. Romneya Drive, Anaheim, CA 92801 |
| North-West College | 124 South Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA 91205 |
| North-West College | 14540 Haynes Street, Van Nuys, CA 91411 |
| North-West College | 134 West Holt Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768 |
| North-West College | 2121 West Garvey Avenue North, West Covina, CA 91790 |
| San Bernardino Valley College | 701 South Mount Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92410 |
| Santa Ana College | 1530 W 17th St, Santa Ana, CA 92706 |
| Therapeutic Research Center | 3120 W March Lane #1, Stockton, CA 95219 |
How to Get a License in California
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board issues these licenses in California.
After completing your training program, you can apply for a certification from the Board.
After applying, you will need to also take an exam.
This exam lasts for 2 hours and features 90 questions with multiple choice answers.
Upon passing your exam, you will receive a CPhT that requires renewal once at 2 years.
Pharmacy Tech Salaries in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this industry is flourishing in California.
Job growth of 12% is expected until 2026, which means better career opportunities for new techs.
The average salary for a pharmacy tech in California is $39,156 a year.
This means that those who work in this industry can expect to be paid $47,813 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $39,461 |
| San Diego | $37,690 |
| San Jose | $43,994 |
| San Francisco | $43,924 |
| Fresno | $35,125 |
| Sacramento | $37,891 |
| Long Beach | $39,086 |
| Oakland | $41,540 |
| Bakersfield | $37,649 |
| Anaheim | $39,174 |
Regional Salary in California
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 850 | $49,380 | $23.74 | $70,210 | $36,010 |
| Chico, CA | 230 | $51,620 | $24.82 | $64,210 | $36,080 |
| El Centro, CA | 150 | $49,230 | $23.67 | $63,230 | $36,450 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,200 | $51,340 | $24.68 | $71,040 | $35,650 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 150 | $48,470 | $23.3 | $57,660 | $36,900 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 15,030 | $53,720 | $25.83 | $75,530 | $38,870 |
| Madera, CA | 140 | $51,620 | $24.82 | $66,940 | $36,260 |
| Merced, CA | 180 | $45,780 | $22.01 | $60,070 | $35,940 |
| Modesto, CA | 480 | $53,320 | $25.64 | $73,190 | $36,100 |
| Napa, CA | 190 | $69,630 | $33.48 | $89,390 | $45,760 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 830 | $51,960 | $24.98 | $73,600 | $37,210 |
| Redding, CA | 190 | $50,700 | $24.37 | $72,420 | $35,710 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 4,520 | $51,840 | $24.92 | $72,150 | $38,160 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 2,630 | $57,540 | $27.66 | $79,330 | $38,220 |
| Salinas, CA | 400 | $54,480 | $26.19 | $75,470 | $38,290 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 3,540 | $53,520 | $25.73 | $74,560 | $37,700 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 4,040 | $67,310 | $32.36 | $90,980 | $46,180 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,120 | $68,670 | $33.01 | $88,700 | $44,610 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 340 | $54,330 | $26.12 | $74,760 | $37,280 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 270 | $50,760 | $24.4 | $70,820 | $38,110 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 450 | $55,260 | $26.57 | $73,220 | $37,740 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 420 | $60,330 | $29 | $80,510 | $39,800 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 640 | $53,210 | $25.58 | $79,050 | $36,870 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 430 | $60,680 | $29.18 | $86,300 | $39,110 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | 430 | $49,620 | $23.86 | $70,200 | $35,540 |
| Yuba City, CA | 180 | $49,880 | $23.98 | $63,420 | $36,470 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Job Opportunities for Pharmacy Techs in California
There are many facilities where you can work in this state.
Some of these include private clinics, hospitals, drugstore, and nursing homes.
You should expect to work night shifts and weekends as well, as most facilities are open 247.
Some of the responsibilities you will have on the job include providing flu shots, so you will need to receive training from a pharmacist.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician Schools by State