Pharmacist Salary

La Habra vs Riverside: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between La Habra, CA and Riverside, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

La Habra, CA
$159,809
$76.83/hr
Riverside, CA
$164,832
$79.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Habra, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$159,809$164,832
Hourly Rate$76.83$79.24
Entry Level (P10)$113,128$105,710
25th Percentile$146,050$134,029
75th Percentile$185,655$190,707
Top Earner (P90)$199,324$210,808
Total Employed163,400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Habra ($159,809) and Riverside ($164,832) pharmacist salaries.La HabraRiversideMedian Salary$159,809$164,832Entry Level (P10)$113,128$105,710Top Earner (P90)$199,324$210,808US Median $143,489

Verdict

Riverside, CA offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to La Habra.

The salary gap between La Habra and Riverside is $5,023 (3.14%). Riverside's median is +14.87% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in La Habra spans $86,196,Riverside spans $105,098. Riverside has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

La Habra
P10 (Entry)$113,128
P25$146,050
Median$159,809
P75$185,655
P90 (Top)$199,324
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$105,710
P25$134,029
Median$164,832
P75$190,707
P90 (Top)$210,808

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($154,856 effective) pays 9.59% more than La Habra ($141,299 effective).

La Habra
Nominal: $159,809
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $141,299
Riverside
Nominal: $164,832
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $154,856

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose La Habra if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Higher median salary ($164,832/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($210,808)
  • Larger job market (3,400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,856)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in La Habra grew -8.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.6% growth in Riverside over the same period.

La Habra, CA

+-8.5%

$171,467 (2024) → $156,937 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+8.6%

$149,040 (2019) → $161,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: La Habra or Riverside?

Riverside has a higher median pharmacist salary at $164,832/year, compared to La Habra at $159,809/year — a difference of $5,023 (3.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between La Habra and Riverside?

La Habra pharmacists earn $76.83/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $79.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from La Habra to Riverside as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Habra and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Habra = $141,299, Riverside = $154,856), job availability (16 vs 3,400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in La Habra vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $113,128 in La Habra and $105,710 in Riverside. The La Habra area offers higher starting salaries.

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Patel, PharmDData verified by Amina Al-Sayed, PharmD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.83% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov