Pharmacists Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a pharmacists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $196,250/year ($94.35/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $150K at the entry level to $226K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $177,730 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 31.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $196K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About pharmacists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level pharmacists (10th percentile) start around $150K. Mid-career wages sit at $196K.Top earners bring in $226K or more - a $75K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do pharmacists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $196,250 a year - that works out to about $94.35 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $150,230, and experienced pharmacists can clear $225,660. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $196K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,979/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 31.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a pharmacists salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median pharmacists salary is worth about $177,730 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.