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2026 Salary Data — Long Beach, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Pharmacist Salary in Long Beach: $165K Median

Pharmacists in Long Beach, CA earn between $126K and $198K per year.

That's +20% above the US national median of $137,480 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Pharmacist salary in Long Beach, CA is $164,976 per year — +20% above the US national median of $137,480. Salaries range from $126,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $198,000 (90th percentile). Pharmacists in Long Beach earned approximately $24,996 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$164,976
+560.0% YoY · $13,748/mo
Entry
$132,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$186,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$198,000
Senior/lead
Pharmacist Salary — Long Beach vs Nearby
Long Beach
$165K
Los Angeles
$176K
-6% vs Long Beach
San Diego
$162K
+2% vs Long Beach
San Francisco
$213K
-23% vs Long Beach

Free ATS scan · Long Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Pharmacists in Long Beach

Pharmacists dispense medications, counsel patients, and ensure safe medication use. Roles span retail, hospital, clinical, and industry.

Core Responsibilities

  • Verify prescriptions
  • Patient counseling
  • Medication therapy management
  • Clinical pharmacy services
  • Drug interaction monitoring

Education & Certifications

Typical path: PharmD (6-year doctorate)

In-demand certifications

RPh (Registered Pharmacist)BCPSImmunization certifiedMTM certified

Long Beach Job Market

Major Pacific port city with strong aerospace and healthcare presence.

Population
467K
Cost of Living
153
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5%
Median Home
$770K

Top Industries in Long Beach

AerospaceHealthcareLogistics (Port)TourismEducation

Top Employers Hiring Pharmacists

Major employers active in Long Beach or hiring remotely from this metro.

CVS Health
Walgreens
Walmart
Kroger
Hospital systems
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Pharmacist listings.

Clinical pharmacySpecialty drugsMTMTelepharmacyPharmGenomics

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PharmDprescription verificationpatient counselingclinical pharmacymedication therapy managementEpic
Career Outlook
+3% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Pharmacist employment relatively stable. Clinical pharmacist roles growing fastest as retail consolidates.

Pharmacist Salary Breakdown — Long Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$126,000$164,976$198,000
Monthly$10,500$13,748$16,500
Weekly$2,423$3,173$3,808
Hourly$61$79$95

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($137,480) adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Pharmacist Take-Home Pay in Long Beach

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$114,344.416
Per month$9,529
Biweekly paycheck$4,398
Effective tax rate30.7%

Tax Breakdown on $164,976

Gross salary$164,976
Federal income tax−$28,937.24
California state tax−$9,073.68
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$12,620.664
Take-home (net)$114,344.416

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Pharmacist Salary by Experience — Long Beach

Career-stage progression for Pharmacists in Long Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$121,440
2–3 yr$132,000
4–6 yr$159,000
7–10 yr$186,000
11–15 yr$219,480
15+ yr$192,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Long Beach's 1.20× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$24,996
2026 median:$164,976
Change:+$139,980

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Clinical pharmacy and Specialty drugs.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$107,827
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Pharmacist Salary in Long Beach

Walk-away anchor: $149,978 (offers below this are below market for Long Beach).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $186K–$198K for experienced roles, citing Long Beach market data and your specific Clinical pharmacy/Specialty drugs expertise.

Pharmacist Salary FAQ — Long Beach

What is the average Pharmacist salary in Long Beach, CA?
The average Pharmacist salary in Long Beach is $164,976 per year as of April 2026 — $13,748/month, $3,173/week, or about $79/hour. Salaries range from $126,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $198,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×).
Is $164,976 a good Pharmacist salary in Long Beach?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Long Beach's cost-of-living index is 153 (vs 100 nationally), giving $164,976 a real purchasing power of approximately $107,827 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $164,976 in Long Beach?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Long Beach specifically (median home price $770,000), a $164,976 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $164,976 enough for a single person in Long Beach?
A single adult in Long Beach typically needs ~$68,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $164,976 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $164,976 enough for a couple in Long Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$110,160 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $164,976 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $164,976 each ($329,952 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $164,976 enough for a family of 4 in Long Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$168,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $164,976 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Long Beach. Childcare costs in Long Beach typically run $23K-$43K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Pharmacist in Long Beach?
On a $164,976 Pharmacist salary in Long Beach, CA, you take home approximately $114,344.416 per year ($9,529/month, $4,398 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $28,937.24, state $9,073.68, FICA $12,620.664. Effective tax rate: 30.7%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Pharmacists in Long Beach earn compared to the US average?
Pharmacists in Long Beach earn approximately 20% more than the US national median for this role ($137,480 nationally vs $164,976 in Long Beach). However, Long Beach's cost-of-living index of 153 means real purchasing power is approximately $107,827 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Pharmacist earn in Long Beach?
Entry-level Pharmacists in Long Beach typically start at around $132,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Pharmacists earn $186,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $198,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Pharmacist salaries in Long Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Pharmacist salaries in Long Beach grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $24,996 in 2025 to $164,976 in 2026 (+$139,980). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Clinical pharmacy and Specialty drugs demand.
What's the job outlook for Pharmacists in Long Beach?
Pharmacist employment relatively stable. Clinical pharmacist roles growing fastest as retail consolidates. Long Beach's top industries include Aerospace, Healthcare, Logistics (Port), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Pharmacists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Pharmacists are: Clinical pharmacy, Specialty drugs, MTM, Telepharmacy, PharmGenomics. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Long Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Pharmacists in Long Beach?
Top employers hiring Pharmacists in or near Long Beach include: CVS Health, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, Hospital systems, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Pharmacist salary in Long Beach?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Pharmacist salary in Long Beach?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Clinical pharmacy, Specialty drugs, MTM) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., RPh (Registered Pharmacist) or BCPS). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Pharmacist in Long Beach?
PharmD (6-year doctorate) is the typical path. However, Long Beach's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Pharmacist salary figures for Long Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($137,480) by Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.20× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Long Beach

Registered Nurse →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Physician →Nurse Practitioner →Dentist →

Pharmacist Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$176KSan Diego, CA$162KSan Francisco, CA$213KFresno, CA$131KSacramento, CA$148KOakland, CA$192K

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