Pharmacists Salary in California
The median pay for a pharmacists in California is $165,150/year ($79.4/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $87K at the entry level to $208K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $165K get you in California?
About pharmacists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level pharmacists (10th percentile) start around $87K. Mid-career wages sit at $165K.Top earners bring in $208K or more - a $121K spread from bottom to top.
Pharmacists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $165K | +20% | 34,490 |
| Alaska | $163K | +19% | 510 |
| Oregon | $163K | +19% | 3,660 |
| Washington | $157K | +14% | 7,940 |
| Minnesota | $155K | +12% | 6,010 |
| Hawaii | $151K | +10% | 1,310 |
| District of Columbia | $142K | +3% | 820 |
| New Hampshire | $141K | +3% | 1,090 |
| Delaware | $140K | +2% | 790 |
| Wisconsin | $140K | +2% | 4,940 |
| South Dakota | $140K | +2% | 1,290 |
| Indiana | $139K | +1% | 6,200 |
| Nevada | $139K | +1% | 2,330 |
| Idaho | $139K | +1% | 1,750 |
| Arizona | $138K | +0% | 7,690 |
Track pharmacists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do pharmacists make in California?
The median is $165,150 a year - that works out to about $79.4 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $87,170, and experienced pharmacists can clear $208,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $165K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,345/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 23.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a pharmacists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median pharmacists salary is worth about $165,150 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do pharmacists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.