2024 Pharmacist Salary in California

Pharmacists in California are paid some of the highest salaries in the nation, earning a six figure income, annually. While the highest salaries are paid in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, the lowest are in Merced. There are 33,130 pharmacists working in CA and their employment prospects are projected to grow at the rate of 6.71% from 2020 to 2030. On an average, a pharmacists' salary in California is $146,140.

Average Salary of Pharmacist in California

Working in CA as pharmacists will certainly fetch you a higher salary of $146,140 as compared to the national average. Nonetheless, the higher cost of living in Californian cities notwithstanding, the high pay package in the state is warranted for. Pharmacists looking for part-time jobs can expect to earn an hourly salary of $70.26.

Type Average Salary
Hourly Wage $70.26
Monthly Salary $12,180
Annual Salary $146,140


Pharmacist Salary by Experience in CA

When you start working as a pharmacist, you can expect to earn an annual salary of $79,980. Of course, with experience, the expertise you add to your job will take your earnings higher. Pharmacists who stick around for 20 years or more can earn an annual salary of $193,120.

Level of Experience Hourly Annual
Less than 1 year (Starting)$38.45$79,980
1-4 years$61.87 $128,690
5-9 years$74.97 $155,930
10-19 years$80.10 $166,610
20 years or more$92.85 $193,120


Salary Growth (2017-2021)

The salary of a pharmacist in California has gone up by 7.38% from 2017 to 2021. However, just in the last 2 years the salary hike has been the least, rising only by a meagre 1.45%.

Year Average Annual Salary Growth
2017$136,7300.46%
2018$139,6902.16%
2019$144,0503.12%
2020$146,0701.40%
2021$146,1400.05%
Total$10,0407.38%


Employment Growth (2017-2021)

There are 33,130 pharmacists working in California and 4,460 pharmacists, preciously, have been added to the workforce since 2017; that is an employment growth of 15.56%. The steady demand for pharmacists in the state is due to growing expansion of the pharmaceutical industry along with the rising demand in the use of prescription drugs.

Year Employment Growth
201729,8604.15%
201830,9503.65%
201932,1503.88%
202032,5201.15%
202133,1301.88%
Total4,46015.56%


Industry Wise Income and Employment (2021)

The largest employers of pharmacists in California are retail pharmacies, employing 13,360 pharmacists and paying an annual salary of $137,860. The highest salaries however, come from Outpatient Care Centers, paying an annual income of $175,230. Retail Pharmacies pay the least salaries and Outpatient Care Centers hire only 770 pharmacists, annually.

Industry Employment Hourly Salary Annual Salary
Retail Pharmacies13,360$66.28 $137,860
Hospitals8,640$74.33 $154,600
Grocery Stores2,570$67.16 $139,700
Other General Merchandise Stores2,070$73.69 $153,280
Outpatient Care Centers770$84.25 $175,230


California Metro Wise - Salary and Employment (2021)

If you looking to work as pharmacists in California, you should know that the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim employ, 12,790 pharmacists, the largest number in the state. However, you will earn the highest salary if you work in a pharmacy located in San Jose as they pay the biggest six-figure pay checks at $168,640.

AREA_TITLE Employment Hourly Annual Starting Salary Experienced Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim 12,790 $65.84 $136,950 $78,850 $170,170
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward 4,040 $78.77 $163,840 $128,160 $200,680
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario 3,190 $70.34 $146,310 $123,390 $167,470
San Diego-Carlsbad 2,600 $70.09 $145,790 $109,790 $170,860
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade 2,150 $70.16 $145,930 $62,680 $172,070
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara 1,740 $81.08 $168,640 $128,790 $204,320
Fresno 700 $69.43 $144,410 $104,380 $173,720
Bakersfield 590 $68.34 $142,140 $105,840 $166,520
Stockton-Lodi 590 $68.77 $143,040 $107,410 $167,710
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura 580 $68.72 $142,950 $108,630 $167,710
Vallejo-Fairfield 420 $75.41 $156,850 $127,240 $192,400
Santa Rosa 340 $76.16 $158,420 $130,610 $191,360
Modesto 320 $71.39 $148,490 $106,790 $192,400
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara 270 $72.46 $150,730 $121,070 $192,400
Visalia-Porterville 270 $69.57 $144,710 $120,570 $171,800
Salinas 240 $73.44 $152,760 $127,240 $192,620
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande 230 $72.19 $150,150 $126,780 $175,950
Chico 210 $68.54 $142,570 $120,130 $165,530
Napa 170 * * * *
Redding 170 $70.60 $146,850 $122,010 $166,520
Santa Cruz-Watsonville 170 $73.45 $152,770 $127,690 $179,620
Merced 120 $67.40 $140,190 $100,230 $165,990
Hanford-Corcoran 110 $69.55 $144,670 $125,700 $167,530
Madera 110 $71.87 $149,490 $125,290 $167,530
Yuba City 100 $71.37 $148,460 $123,910 $207,480
El Centro 70 $67.48 $140,360 $120,290 $167,530


Pharmacist Employment Outlook in CA (2020-2030)

Being the most populated state in the nation, the demand for prescription is bound to go up to cater to the ever growing medical needs of a large population. California projects a promising employment growth of 6.71% from 2020 to 2030 with 1,490 jobs available, every year. Out of the 322,200 pharmacists working in the nation, 32,800 work in California.

2020 Employment 2030 EmploymentPercent ChangeProjected Annual Job Openings
California32,80035,0006.71%1,490
United States323,500331,1002.35%13,600


Pharmacist California VS Pharmacist National

California stands second in the list of highest paying pharmacists' states. Working in this state as a pharmacist is certainly a great career opportunity as you will be not only amongst the highest paid in the nation but also have host of employment opportunities available. You will earn an annual salary of $146,140, which is 16.27% more than the national average.

TypeCalifornia SalaryUS SalaryDifference% Difference
Hourly Wage$70.26 $60.43 9.8316.27%
Monthly Salary$12,180 $10,470 1,71016.33%
Annual Salary $146,140 $125,690 20,45016.27%


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