Pharmacist Salary

Los Angeles vs Pomona: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Pomona, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$160,321
$77.08/hr
Pomona, CA
$171,073
$82.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAPomona, CA
Median Salary$160,321$171,073
Hourly Rate$77.08$82.25
Entry Level (P10)$63,949$117,697
25th Percentile$135,464$154,414
75th Percentile$187,052$196,473
Top Earner (P90)$212,886$211,164
Total Employed12,45036
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($160,321) and Pomona ($171,073) pharmacist salaries.Los AngelesPomonaMedian Salary$160,321$171,073Entry Level (P10)$63,949$117,697Top Earner (P90)$212,886$211,164US Median $143,489

Verdict

Los Angeles and Pomona are closely matched on overall pharmacist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Pomona is $10,752 (6.71%). Pomona's median is +19.22% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $148,937,Pomona spans $93,467. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$63,949
P25$135,464
Median$160,321
P75$187,052
P90 (Top)$212,886
Pomona
P10 (Entry)$117,697
P25$154,414
Median$171,073
P75$196,473
P90 (Top)$211,164

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pomona ($151,258 effective) pays 7.15% more than Los Angeles ($141,170 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $160,321
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $141,170
Pomona
Nominal: $171,073
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $151,258

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($212,886)
  • Larger job market (12,450 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Pomona if…

  • Higher median salary ($171,073/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $151,258)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Los Angeles grew 8.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.5% growth in Pomona over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+8.6%

$145,030 (2019) → $157,440 (2025)

Pomona, CA

+-8.5%

$183,554 (2024) → $167,999 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Los Angeles or Pomona?

Pomona has a higher median pharmacist salary at $171,073/year, compared to Los Angeles at $160,321/year — a difference of $10,752 (6.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Pomona?

Los Angeles pharmacists earn $77.08/hr while Pomona hygienists earn $82.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Pomona as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Pomona. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $141,170, Pomona = $151,258), job availability (12,450 vs 36 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Los Angeles vs Pomona?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $63,949 in Los Angeles and $117,697 in Pomona. The Pomona 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