Pharmacist Salary in California
Median annual base pay is $158,300 across 62 reported Pharmacist salaries in California.
Updated 4 August 2026
Salary Distribution (By Percentile)
| P10 | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 |
|---|
| $131,900 | $143,100 | $158,300 | $170,000 | $190,300 |
Top Cities in California
| City | Median | Reports |
|---|
| San Jose | $170,000 | 8 |
| Los Angeles | $163,000 | 8 |
| San Diego | $158,300 | 7 |
Top Employers in California
By Practice Setting
| Setting | Median | Reports |
|---|
| Hospital (Acute Care / Inpatient) | $172,598 | 5 |
| Community Pharmacy (Independent) | $156,000 | 6 |
| Community Pharmacy (Large Chain / Retail) | $153,920 | 17 |
Salary by Level
| Level | Common titles | Median | Reports |
|---|
| Mid-Level | Staff Pharmacist · Consultant Pharmacist · Drug Safety Scientist | — | 2 |
| Senior | Clinical Pharmacist · Senior Pharmacist · Senior Clinical Pharmacist | — | 1 |
| Manager | Pharmacy Manager · Pharmacist-in-Charge · Clinical Coordinator | — | 1 |
| Director | Director of Pharmacy · Regional Pharmacy Director · Associate Director of Pharmacy | — | 1 |
How They're Paid
| Model | Median | Reports |
|---|
| Annual Salary | $161,598 | 17 |
| Hourly | $153,920 | 15 |
Pharmacist salaries in other states
Common questions
How much does a Pharmacist make in California?
The median Pharmacist salary in California is $158,300 per year, based on 62 reported salaries.
Which city in California pays Pharmacists the most?
San Jose has the highest median at $170,000 per year, of the cities with enough reports to publish a median.
Which employers pay Pharmacists the most in California?
Of the employers with enough reports to publish a median, CVS Health is highest at $153,920 per year.
Am I underpaid as a Pharmacist?
All Pharmacist salaries · Browse salaries by role