Pharmacist salary in California
What pharmacists earn in California and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$164,610$79.14 per hour
vs U.S.+17%U.S. median $140,910
Middle half earn$138,360 – $197,860Top 10%: $213,820+
Jobs34,0300.90× the U.S. concentration
Pharmacist pay in California cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $157,440 | $75.69 | 12,450 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $177,410 | $85.29 | 3,670 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $161,870 | $77.82 | 3,400 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $165,130 | $79.39 | 2,840 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $172,680 | $83.02 | 2,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $199,040 | $95.69 | 1,960 |
| Fresno, CA | $169,160 | $81.33 | 890 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $160,430 | $77.13 | 630 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $161,930 | $77.85 | 600 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $162,440 | $78.10 | 530 |
| Modesto, CA | $160,520 | $77.17 | 380 |
| Vallejo, CA | $170,870 | $82.15 | 350 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $170,570 | $82.00 | 330 |
| Visalia, CA | $158,080 | $76.00 | 310 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $162,520 | $78.13 | 290 |
| Salinas, CA | $166,470 | $80.03 | 260 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $172,860 | $83.11 | 240 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $166,310 | $79.96 | 200 |
| Napa, CA | $200,580 | $96.43 | 180 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $166,850 | $80.22 | 180 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $161,940 | $77.86 | 170 |
| Chico, CA | $161,410 | $77.60 | 160 |
| Redding, CA | $166,800 | $80.19 | 160 |
| Yuba City, CA | $161,240 | $77.52 | 140 |
| Merced, CA | $154,870 | $74.46 | 120 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $164,910 | $79.29 | 110 |
| El Centro, CA | $158,490 | $76.20 | 90 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $171,900 | $82.64 | 90 |
Hospitals and jobs in California
Pharmacist pay in similar states
Alaska · $167,310 Oregon · $165,960 Hawaii · $163,220 Washington · $160,610 Minnesota · $159,740 Colorado · $156,030
Other healthcare salaries in California
Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $34,320 Registered Nurses · $140,270 Medical Assistants · $49,660 Nursing Assistants · $47,630 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $79,750 Dental Assistants · $50,110 Pharmacy Technicians · $55,110 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $76,010 Physical Therapists · $124,190 Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other · $60,390 Physicians, All Other · $281,590 Nurse Practitioners · $168,520
Questions
How much does a pharmacist make in California?
Pharmacists in California earned a median of $164,610 a year ($79.14 an hour) in May 2025, 17% more than the national median of $140,910. The middle half earned $138,360 to $197,860.
Where in California do pharmacists earn the most?
Among areas in California, pay was highest in Napa, CA at $200,580.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.