Pharmacist salary in California

The median annual wage for pharmacists in California is $164,610, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2025 estimates — above the national median of $140,910. California ranks 3 of 50 states and DC with published data for this occupation.

Median

$164,610

25th percentile

$138,360

75th percentile

$197,860

90th percentile

$213,820

Employment and national comparison

Employment in California	34,030
Mean annual wage in California	$162,340
National median	$140,910
National employment	321,970

Metro areas in California

San Francisco, CA: median $177,410
Los Angeles, CA: median $157,440
San Diego, CA: median $165,130

States with similar pay for pharmacists

Oregon: median $165,960
Hawaii: median $163,220
Alaska: median $167,310
Washington: median $160,610
Minnesota: median $159,740
Colorado: median $156,030

See all states ranked for pharmacists.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates; state, metropolitan area and national files from https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm. State estimates are for BLS occupation "Pharmacists" (29-1051), cross-industry, all ownerships. Retrieved 2026-10-02. Where BLS does not publish a numeric estimate (suppressed, or reported only as at or above $239,200) the value is shown as —.