Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Stockton, CA: $79.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Stockton, CA runs $79.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $165,413 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Stockton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.1, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $75.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,252 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Stockton, California, the pharmacist hourly pay stands at a robust $79.53, significantly higher than the national median of $68.99. This competitive rate benefits part-time and per-diem pharmacists, allowing them to earn substantial income while maintaining flexibility in their work schedules. For instance, those working three days a week can expect to make a considerable hourly wage across various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, inpatient pharmacy environments, and specialty clean rooms. The range of hourly rates for pharmacists in Stockton spans from $48.64 for entry-level positions to as much as $103.01 for top earners, reflecting the demand and complexity of roles within the pharmacy profession as outlined by the projected 2026 BLS data.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.64 | $389.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67.07 | $536.52 |
| Median (P50) | $79.53 | $636.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95.22 | $761.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103.01 | $824.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Stockton
Based on $79.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.53/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Stockton, CA can expect to earn approximately $165,421 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,435. With a cost-of-living index of 105.09 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Stockton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Stockton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,181.17 | $13,785 | $165,421 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,908.70 | $8,271 | $99,252 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,272.47 | $5,514 | $66,168 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Stockton) | $79.53 |
| 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 Stockton, CA earn a median of $165,413 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.28% higher than the national median of $143,489.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.53/hr = $99,252/year (purchasing power: $94,446).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $165,421/year (purchasing power: $157,410).
CoL index: 105.089 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$71.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $73.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $74.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $73.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $75.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Stockton grew 9.4% from $71.41/hr (2019) to $78.10/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $80.98/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 Stockton 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 Stockton
Analyzing the nuances of pharmacist pay in Stockton, part-time pharmacists working approximately 24 hours a week can still achieve significant annual earnings, often surpassing what one might initially expect. Many per-diem or locum tenens pharmacists tend to bill between $55 and $95 per hour, depending on their clinical specialty. For example, those in specialty oncology or critical care roles typically command higher rates due to the complexity of the work. Hourly rates can vary greatly among different employer types in the area; retail chains like CVS and Walgreens may offer lower rates due to their fixed structures, while hospitals and specialty pharmacies might provide higher pay but with more demanding workloads. Additionally, pharmacists may need to consider the trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits versus lower hourly rates with health insurance. For those negotiating pay, understanding the local market and leveraging their qualifications, such as board certifications and residency training, can enhance their bargaining position within Stockton’s evolving pharmacy landscape.
More salary data for Stockton, 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 Stockton. 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