Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Brea, CA: $75.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Brea, CA runs $75.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $157,017 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Brea's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $66.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,207 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brea, CA, the projected pharmacist hourly pay for 2026 is $75.49, significantly higher than the national median of $68.99. This competitive hourly rate makes the role appealing for both part-time and per-diem pharmacists working in various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacy IV rooms, specialty pharmacy clean rooms, and mail-order fulfillment operations. For professionals opting for part-time hours, working three days a week translates to an attractive income, given the hourly rate and projected earnings range of $55.43 for entry-level positions to $91.78 for top earners. This flexibility provides opportunities for those looking to balance career demands with personal obligations, while the diverse work environments cater to pharmacists with varying interests and expertise.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($157,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55.43 | $443.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70.30 | $562.43 |
| Median (P50) | $75.49 | $603.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.65 | $693.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.78 | $734.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brea
Based on $75.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.49/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brea, CA can expect to earn approximately $157,012 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $90,584. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brea.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brea
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,019.46 | $13,084 | $157,012 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,811.68 | $7,851 | $94,207 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,207.79 | $5,234 | $62,805 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Brea) | $75.49 |
| 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 Brea, CA earn a median of $157,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.43% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 5.10% below the California state average of $165,455.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.49/hr = $94,207/year (purchasing power: $83,296).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $157,012/year (purchasing power: $138,826).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$67.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$74.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $67.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $69.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $71.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $81.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $74.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Brea grew 10.0% from $67.39/hr (2019) to $74.13/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $76.87/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 Brea 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 Brea
Evaluating the part-time earning potential further illustrates the financial dynamics of pharmacy careers in Brea. A pharmacist working 24 hours a week could see their take-home pay significantly vary based on their specific role, with per diem retail pharmacists typically billing between $55 and $75 per hour. Clinical pharmacy roles in a hospital setting might command $60 to $85, and specialty pharmacists focusing on critical care can earn between $70 and $95 per hour. The landscape shows a broad salary spectrum across employer types—from retail chains like CVS and Walgreens to hospital and specialty pharmacies—each presenting different benefits and compensation structures. While some pharmacists opt for lower hourly rates for jobs that include health insurance, others may pursue higher hourly compensation without benefits from agencies or locum positions. Negotiating effectively based on local market conditions and skill sets can enhance pay outcomes for pharmacists in Brea, demonstrating the balance between pay and job security in an evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Brea, 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 Brea. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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