verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Pharmacist Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$164,610/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$79.14/hr
▲ 17% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
34,030
public U.S. Median
$140,910
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$148,672 #26 of 51

Pharmacist pay in California, explained

Pharmacists in California earn a median of $164,610 per year ($79.14 per hour), which is 17% above the national median of $140,910. Entry-level workers earn around $90,560, while the most experienced pharmacists reach about $213,820. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $164,610 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $164,610 is worth about $148,672 in national buying power — ranking California #26 for real pay (vs #3 on the sticker number).

See the full Pharmacist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Pharmacist pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$90,560
$43.54/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$164,610
$79.14/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$213,820
$102.80/hr

Pharmacist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $164,610 $148,672
Oregon $165,960 $160,563 −$1,350
Arizona $146,930 $145,942 +$17,680
Nevada $140,030 $140,059 +$24,580

Pharmacist in California: FAQ

How much do pharmacists make in California?

Pharmacists in California earn a median of $164,610 per year ($79.14 per hour), compared with $140,910 nationally.

Does California pay pharmacists well?

At $164,610, California pays 17% above the national median for pharmacists. An estimated 34,030 work in the state.

Pharmacist salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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