Pharmacists Salary in California

How much does a Pharmacists make in California?

Last updated: 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$160,950
Median Annual Salary
$157,280
Mean Salary
$160,950
Median Salary
$77.38
Hourly Rate
35,980 people work as Pharmacists in California

About This Job: Pharmacists

Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension
4.0
Active Listening
4.0
Speaking
4.0
Writing
3.88
Critical Thinking
3.88

Key Knowledge Areas

Medicine and Dentistry
4.64
Mathematics
4.49
Customer and Personal Service
4.16
English Language
4.16
Chemistry
4.11
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree (78.4% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Pharmacists in California

Salaries for Pharmacists in California range from $95,910 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $204,250 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $137,450 and $186,040.

Median $160,950
P10: $95,910 P25: $137,450 P75: $186,040 P90: $204,250
10th
$95,910
25th
$137,450
Median
$160,950
75th
$186,040
90th
$204,250
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $95,910 $46.11 $7,992
25th Percentile $137,450 $66.08 $11,454
Median (50th) $160,950 $77.38 $13,412
75th Percentile $186,040 $89.44 $15,503
90th Percentile (Experienced) $204,250 $98.20 $17,020

Note: The mean (average) salary of $157,280 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

🚀 What To Do Next

Some links may be affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

What does this salary really buy? See Pharmacists salary in California adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Pharmacists take-home pay in California after taxes →

Pharmacists Salary by State

Compare Pharmacists pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

View all 50 states →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Pharmacists make in California?
The median annual salary for a Pharmacists in California is $160,950 as of 2024. The average (mean) salary is $157,280.
What is the salary range for a Pharmacists in California?
Salaries for Pharmacists in California range from $95,910 at the 10th percentile to $204,250 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50%% earn between $137,450 and $186,040.
What is the starting salary for a Pharmacists in California?
Entry-level Pharmacists positions in California typically start around $95,910 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $137,450 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Pharmacists in California?
According to 2024 BLS data, approximately 35,980 people are employed as Pharmacists in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Pharmacists in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Pharmacists in California is approximately $77.38 per hour.

Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2024 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

Explore More in California

Related Analysis
Pharmacists Salary After-Tax Take-Home Pay Cost of Living Adjusted
Rankings
Highest Paying Jobs Jobs Over $100K Average Salary All Jobs in California