Pharmacists Salary in California
Pharmacists in California earn a median annual wage of $164,610 —16.8% above the national median of $140,910. That ranks CA #3 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.90×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for pharmacists
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $167,310 | $80.44 | 560 | 0.84 |
| 2 | Oregon | $165,960 | $79.79 | 3,250 | 0.80 |
| 3 | California | $164,610 | $79.14 | 34,030 | 0.90 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $163,220 | $78.47 | 1,190 | 0.91 |
| 5 | Washington | $160,610 | $77.22 | 7,350 | 1.00 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $159,740 | $76.80 | 6,310 | 1.03 |
| 7 | Colorado | $156,030 | $75.01 | 4,560 | 0.77 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $153,400 | $73.75 | 850 | 0.58 |
| 9 | Delaware | $152,880 | $73.50 | 790 | 0.79 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $148,740 | $71.51 | 5,730 | 0.94 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $168,520 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do pharmacists make in California?
The median annual wage for pharmacists in California is $164,610, or $79.14 per hour. That is 16.8% above the national median of $140,910.
What is the entry-level pharmacists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $90,560 per year ($43.54/hour). The 25th percentile is $138,360.
How many people work as pharmacists in California?
About 34,030 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.9 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for pharmacists?
California ranks #3 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.90x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays pharmacists the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage at $167,310 per year, followed by Oregon ($165,960) and California ($164,610).