Pharmacist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Pharmacist Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Pharmacists in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$108,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$62,428 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$52,318 vs $56,773
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000 | $126,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,160 | $97,020▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,240 | $161,280▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $172,800 | $201,600▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,428 | $67,742▲ | -$5,314 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,511 | $105,597▲ | -$15,086 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $52,318 | $56,773▲ | -$4,455 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 41,600 | -3,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $18,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($62,428 vs $67,742 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% vs 9.3%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.