How much does a pharmacist make in California?
$164,600a year
Median yearly pay for pharmacists in California. That is $79.14 an hour or $13,720 a month.
- Hourly
- $79.14
- Vs. national median
- +17%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 34,030
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $90,560Median: $164,600Highest 10%: $213,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $90,560 | $43.54 | |
| 25th | $138,400 | $66.52 | |
| Median | $164,600 | $79.14 | |
| 75th | $197,900 | $95.13 | |
| 90th | $213,800 | $102.80 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Napa, CA | $200,600 |
| San Jose, CA | $199,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | $177,400 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $172,900 |
| Sacramento, CA | $172,700 |
| Hanford, CA | $171,900 |
| Vallejo, CA | $170,900 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $170,600 |
| Fresno, CA | $169,200 |
| Redding, CA | $166,800 |
| Salinas, CA | $166,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $165,100 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $162,500 |
| Stockton, CA | $162,400 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $161,900 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $161,900 |
| Riverside, CA | $161,900 |
| Chico, CA | $161,400 |
| Yuba City, CA | $161,200 |
| Modesto, CA | $160,500 |
| Oxnard, CA | $160,400 |
| El Centro, CA | $158,500 |
| Visalia, CA | $158,100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $157,400 |
| Merced, CA | $154,900 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for pharmacists.
| 1. Alaska | $167,300 |
| 2. Oregon | $166,000 |
| 3. California | $164,600 |
| 4. Hawaii | $163,200 |
| 5. Washington | $160,600 |
| 6. Minnesota | $159,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $79.14 ($164,600 a year).
Do pharmacists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $164,600 against $140,900 nationally, 17% more.
Where does California rank for pharmacist pay?
California ranks 3 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays pharmacists the most?
Napa, CA, with a median of $200,600 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.