Pharmacist Salary

San Francisco vs Vallejo: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$180,657
$86.85/hr
Vallejo, CA
$173,997
$83.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAVallejo, CA
Median Salary$180,657$173,997
Hourly Rate$86.85$83.65
Entry Level (P10)$138,061$131,534
25th Percentile$167,571$158,081
75th Percentile$224,148$205,554
Top Earner (P90)$233,415$215,564
Total Employed3,670350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($180,657) and Vallejo ($173,997) pharmacist salaries.San FranciscoVallejoMedian Salary$180,657$173,997Entry Level (P10)$138,061$131,534Top Earner (P90)$233,415$215,564US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Vallejo is $6,660 (3.83%). 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 San Francisco spans $95,354,Vallejo spans $84,030. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$138,061
P25$167,571
Median$180,657
P75$224,148
P90 (Top)$233,415
Vallejo
P10 (Entry)$131,534
P25$158,081
Median$173,997
P75$205,554
P90 (Top)$215,564

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vallejo ($160,397 effective) pays 2.65% more than San Francisco ($156,260 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $180,657
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $156,260
Vallejo
Nominal: $173,997
CoL Index: 108.479
Adjusted: $160,397

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

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

Choose Vallejo if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $160,397)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in San Francisco grew 15.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.1% growth in Vallejo over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+15.3%

$153,870 (2019) → $177,410 (2025)

Vallejo, CA

+7.1%

$159,590 (2019) → $170,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: San Francisco or Vallejo?

San Francisco has a higher median pharmacist salary at $180,657/year, compared to Vallejo at $173,997/year — a difference of $6,660 (3.83%).

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

San Francisco pharmacists earn $86.85/hr while Vallejo hygienists earn $83.65/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Vallejo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $156,260, Vallejo = $160,397), job availability (3,670 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $138,061 in San Francisco and $131,534 in Vallejo. 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