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2026 Salary Data — Los Angeles, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Pharmacist Salary in Los Angeles: $176K Median

Pharmacists in Los Angeles, CA earn between $134K and $211K per year.

That's +28% above the US national median of $137,480 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Pharmacist salary in Los Angeles, CA is $175,974 per year — +28% above the US national median of $137,480. Salaries range from $134,400 (entry, 25th percentile) to $211,200 (90th percentile). Pharmacists in Los Angeles earned approximately $26,663 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$175,974
+560.0% YoY · $14,665/mo
Entry
$140,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$198,400
5+ years
Top 10%
$211,200
Senior/lead
Pharmacist Salary — Los Angeles vs Nearby
Los Angeles
$176K
San Diego
$162K
+8% vs Los Angeles
San Francisco
$213K
-17% vs Los Angeles
Fresno
$131K
+35% vs Los Angeles

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About Pharmacists in Los Angeles

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

Los Angeles Job Market

Entertainment capital with growing tech sector ("Silicon Beach") and major aerospace industry.

Population
3979K
Cost of Living
173
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
Median Home
$950K

Top Industries in Los Angeles

EntertainmentAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring Pharmacists

Major employers active in Los Angeles 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 — Los Angeles

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$134,400$175,974$211,200
Monthly$11,200$14,665$17,600
Weekly$2,585$3,384$4,062
Hourly$65$85$102

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($137,480) adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Pharmacist Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$121,256.659
Per month$10,105
Biweekly paycheck$4,664
Effective tax rate31.1%

Tax Breakdown on $175,974

Gross salary$175,974
Federal income tax−$31,576.76
California state tax−$9,678.57
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$13,462.011
Take-home (net)$121,256.659

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 — Los Angeles

Career-stage progression for Pharmacists in Los Angeles.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$129,536
2–3 yr$140,800
4–6 yr$169,600
7–10 yr$198,400
11–15 yr$234,112
15+ yr$204,800

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Los Angeles's 1.28× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$26,663
2026 median:$175,974
Change:+$149,311

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
$101,719
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 Los Angeles

Walk-away anchor: $159,976 (offers below this are below market for Los Angeles).

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 $198K–$211K for experienced roles, citing Los Angeles market data and your specific Clinical pharmacy/Specialty drugs expertise.

Pharmacist Salary FAQ — Los Angeles

What is the average Pharmacist salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The average Pharmacist salary in Los Angeles is $175,974 per year as of April 2026 — $14,665/month, $3,384/week, or about $85/hour. Salaries range from $134,400 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $211,200 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×).
Is $175,974 a good Pharmacist salary in Los Angeles?
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. Los Angeles's cost-of-living index is 173 (vs 100 nationally), giving $175,974 a real purchasing power of approximately $101,719 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 $175,974 in Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles specifically (median home price $950,000), a $175,974 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $175,974 enough for a single person in Los Angeles?
A single adult in Los Angeles typically needs ~$77,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $175,974 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $175,974 enough for a couple in Los Angeles?
A couple (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$124,560 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $175,974 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $175,974 each ($351,948 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $175,974 enough for a family of 4 in Los Angeles?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$190,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $175,974 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 Los Angeles. Childcare costs in Los Angeles typically run $26K-$48K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Pharmacist in Los Angeles?
On a $175,974 Pharmacist salary in Los Angeles, CA, you take home approximately $121,256.659 per year ($10,105/month, $4,664 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $31,576.76, state $9,678.57, FICA $13,462.011. Effective tax rate: 31.1%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Pharmacists in Los Angeles earn compared to the US average?
Pharmacists in Los Angeles earn approximately 28% more than the US national median for this role ($137,480 nationally vs $175,974 in Los Angeles). However, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 173 means real purchasing power is approximately $101,719 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Pharmacist earn in Los Angeles?
Entry-level Pharmacists in Los Angeles typically start at around $140,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Pharmacists earn $198,400 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $211,200+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Pharmacist salaries in Los Angeles increase in 2026?
Yes — Pharmacist salaries in Los Angeles grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $26,663 in 2025 to $175,974 in 2026 (+$149,311). 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 Los Angeles?
Pharmacist employment relatively stable. Clinical pharmacist roles growing fastest as retail consolidates. Los Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Aerospace, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.1% — 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 Los Angeles.
Who are the top employers hiring Pharmacists in Los Angeles?
Top employers hiring Pharmacists in or near Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
PharmD (6-year doctorate) is the typical path. However, Los Angeles'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 Los Angeles are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($137,480) by Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.28× — 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 Los Angeles

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

Pharmacist Salary in Other Cities

San Diego, CA$162KSan Francisco, CA$213KSeattle, WA$181KWashington, DC$179KBoston, MA$179KFresno, CA$131KSacramento, CA$148KLong Beach, CA$165K

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