LocalSalaryHub Salary Report
Pharmacists in San Diego, CA · Generated June 5, 2026
Pharmacists Salary in San Diego, CA $165,130/yr
$165,130
Mean: $167,490
~$128,801 est. take-home
$79.39
Based on 2,080 hrs/yr
100
100 = national avg
Salary Distribution
Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.
25th %
$154,000
Median
$165,130
75th %
$201,750
Median is in the 23th percentile of the typical range
Pharmacists in other CA cities
Compare the same occupation across cities in CA.
About Pharmacists salaries in San Diego, CA
Pharmacists in San Diego, CA earn a median of $165,130 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $167,490, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Most pharmacists in this area earn between $154,000 and $201,750. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.
That works out to roughly $79.39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.
Career Outlook
3% growth. The job has changed — automated dispensing handles the routine work now. Pharmacists are spending more time on clinical tasks: medication therapy management, immunizations, and patient consultations. Hospital pharmacists have more upward mobility than retail.
Worth knowing: Retail pharmacy salaries have flattened, but clinical pharmacists in hospital systems and specialty areas (oncology, infectious disease) still see steady raises. Board certification in a specialty can add $15K+.
Pharmacists Jobs in San Diego, CA
Median: $165,130/yr — browse openings that fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a pharmacists in San Diego?▾
The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $165,130. The average (mean) is $167,490, which is higher because top earners pull it up.
How much does a pharmacists make per hour in San Diego?▾
About $79.39/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.
What is the salary range for pharmacists in San Diego?▾
The middle 50% earn between $154,000 and $201,750. Below $154,000 is typically entry-level; above $201,750 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.
Salary Conversion Table
How does $165,130 per year break down across different time periods?
| Period | Gross | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly | $165,130 | $128,801 |
| Monthly | $13,761 | $10,733 |
| Biweekly | $6,351 | $4,954 |
| Weekly | $3,176 | $2,477 |
| Hourly (40h/wk) | $79.39 | $61.92 |
| Hourly (35h/wk) | $90.73 | $70.77 |
| Hourly (30h/wk) | $105.85 | $82.56 |
| Daily (8h) | $635 | $495 |
Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.
Pharmacists: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.
Top 10 cities nationwide for pharmacists, based on BLS median salary data.
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