Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $84.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Sacramento, CA runs $84.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $175,840 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $79.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $105,505 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist hourly pay in Sacramento, California, is projected to reach a median of $84.54 per hour, significantly surpassing the national median of $68.99 per hour. This favorable rate offers substantial earning potential for part-time or per-diem workers, who typically operate in varied environments such as retail pharmacy counters, inpatient hospital pharmacies, and outpatient clinics. Part-time pharmacists working three days a week can benefit from flexible scheduling while still earning a competitive wage. For entry-level pharmacists, hourly rates start around $51.12, while more experienced professionals can command rates as high as $104.68 per hour. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlights Sacramento's appeal for pharmacists seeking both stable employment and advantageous hourly compensation.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.12 | $408.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76.58 | $612.61 |
| Median (P50) | $84.54 | $676.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99.16 | $793.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.68 | $837.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $84.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $84.54/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $175,842 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $101,447. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,381.57 | $14,653 | $175,842 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,028.94 | $8,792 | $105,505 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,352.63 | $5,861 | $70,337 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Sacramento) | $84.54 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.81 |
Pharmacists in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $175,840 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.55% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 6.30% above the California state average of $165,419.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $84.54/hr = $105,505/year (purchasing power: $98,908).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $175,842/year (purchasing power: $164,846).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$73.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$83.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$84.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $74.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $78.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $76.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $80.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $83.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $83.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Sacramento grew 13.6% from $73.05/hr (2019) to $83.02/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $86.09/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacist in Sacramento
Considering the part-time earnings, a pharmacist working 24 hours a week might anticipate an annual income of approximately $105,000, which contrasts sharply with salaries of full-time counterparts. Per diem pharmacist pay in Sacramento varies widely; retail pharmacists bill between $55 and $75 per hour, while specialized roles in hospital settings may see rates between $60 and $85 per hour. Furthermore, oncology and critical care pharmacists can earn from $70 to $95 per hour, particularly in immediate need situations. Rates also fluctuate across employer types—those at retail chains like CVS and Walgreens may earn less than their counterparts in specialty pharmacies or hospital settings, where the complexity of care often necessitates higher compensation. Many pharmacists opt for lower hourly rates with ample benefits, reflecting a trade-off between salary and health insurance offerings. Negotiating in this market, particularly for hourly roles, becomes vital; candidates should consider their experience level and the demands of specific roles when discussing salary expectations in Sacramento.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD
Career Analyst
Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacists in Sacramento. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov