Pharmacist Salary

Rialto vs San Francisco: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Rialto, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rialto, CA
$168,546
$81.04/hr
San Francisco, CA
$180,657
$86.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRialto, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$168,546$180,657
Hourly Rate$81.04$86.85
Entry Level (P10)$112,638$138,061
25th Percentile$149,105$167,571
75th Percentile$194,208$224,148
Top Earner (P90)$209,117$233,415
Total Employed173,670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rialto ($168,546) and San Francisco ($180,657) pharmacist salaries.RialtoSan FranciscoMedian Salary$168,546$180,657Entry Level (P10)$112,638$138,061Top Earner (P90)$209,117$233,415US Median $143,489

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rialto.

The salary gap between Rialto and San Francisco is $12,111 (7.19%). San Francisco's median is +25.90% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rialto spans $96,479,San Francisco spans $95,354. Rialto has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Rialto
P10 (Entry)$112,638
P25$149,105
Median$168,546
P75$194,208
P90 (Top)$209,117
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$138,061
P25$167,571
Median$180,657
P75$224,148
P90 (Top)$233,415

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($156,260 effective) pays 4.86% more than Rialto ($149,024 effective).

Rialto
Nominal: $168,546
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $149,024
San Francisco
Nominal: $180,657
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $156,260

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rialto if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($180,657/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($233,415)
  • Larger job market (3,670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $156,260)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Rialto grew -8.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.3% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Rialto, CA

+-8.5%

$180,842 (2024) → $165,517 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+15.3%

$153,870 (2019) → $177,410 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Rialto or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median pharmacist salary at $180,657/year, compared to Rialto at $168,546/year — a difference of $12,111 (7.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rialto and San Francisco?

Rialto pharmacists earn $81.04/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $86.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rialto to San Francisco as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rialto and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rialto = $149,024, San Francisco = $156,260), job availability (17 vs 3,670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Rialto vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $112,638 in Rialto and $138,061 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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