Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Carson, CA: $77.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Carson, CA runs $77.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $162,194 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Carson's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $68.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $97,321 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carson, California, the pharmacist hourly pay is notably competitive, with a median rate projected at $77.98 per hour for 2026. This figure surpasses the national median hourly rate of $68.99 by a significant margin of 13.04%. Part-time pharmacists working three days a week can expect to take home a substantial income, especially as they navigate essential settings like retail pharmacy counters, inpatient pharmacy IV rooms, and specialty pharmacy operations. The hourly wage range for pharmacists in Carson varies considerably, with entry-level positions potentially earning around $57.10 per hour, while top earners can reach $99.78 per hour. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, highlighting the lucrative opportunities available within different pharmacy sectors.
About the Carson 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) | $57.10 | $456.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72.63 | $581.00 |
| Median (P50) | $77.98 | $623.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.25 | $697.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.78 | $798.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carson
Based on $77.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.98/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carson, CA can expect to earn approximately $162,201 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $93,578. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Carson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,119.26 | $13,517 | $162,201 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,871.55 | $8,110 | $97,321 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,247.70 | $5,407 | $64,881 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Carson) | $77.98 |
| 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 Carson, CA earn a median of $162,194 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.04% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.00% below the California state average of $165,504.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.98/hr = $97,321/year (purchasing power: $86,048).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $162,201/year (purchasing power: $143,414).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$69.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Carson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $69.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $69.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $72.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $73.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $83.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Carson grew 10.0% from $69.61/hr (2019) to $76.58/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $79.41/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 Carson 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 Carson
Looking deeper into the earning potential, a part-time pharmacist in Carson, working a 24-hour week, would generate approximately $61,299 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts who earn significantly more. For those considering per diem positions, the rates vary widely, with retail pharmacists typically billing between $55 and $75 per hour, while hospital clinical pharmacists range from $60 to $85 per hour, and specialty roles demand even higher rates ranging from $70 to $95 per hour. Hourly rates differ across employer types, with retail chain positions often offering less than hospital and specialty pharmacy roles due to the nuances of benefits and job responsibilities. Many pharmacists must weigh the trade-off between higher hourly pay and the security offered by full-time positions with benefits. Negotiating for favorable pay in Carson involves understanding both the local market and employer demands, as well as being open to diverse pharmacy roles to maximize earning potential.
More salary data for Carson, 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 Carson. 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 Carson 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