Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Costa Mesa, CA: $79.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Costa Mesa, CA runs $79.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $166,286 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Costa Mesa's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $70.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,774 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacist hourly pay in Costa Mesa, California, stands at a median of $79.95, significantly higher than the national median of $68.99. This hourly rate offers lucrative potential for pharmacists considering part-time work or per-diem positions across various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, specialty clean rooms, and ambulatory clinic environments. For those who work three days a week, the ability to earn between $55.71 and $102.17 per hour allows both newly licensed and experienced pharmacists to enjoy competitive compensation based on their expertise. Hourly pay rates indicate a clear differentiation between entry-level positions and top earners in the region, reflecting the various demands and responsibilities of the pharmacist role.
About the Costa Mesa 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) | $55.71 | $445.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72.45 | $579.62 |
| Median (P50) | $79.95 | $639.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93.89 | $751.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.17 | $817.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Costa Mesa
Based on $79.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.95/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Costa Mesa, CA can expect to earn approximately $166,289 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,936. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Costa Mesa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Costa Mesa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,197.87 | $13,857 | $166,289 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,918.72 | $8,314 | $99,774 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,279.15 | $5,543 | $66,516 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Costa Mesa) | $79.95 |
| 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 Costa Mesa, CA earn a median of $166,286 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.89% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.50% above the California state average of $165,459.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.95/hr = $99,774/year (purchasing power: $88,217).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $166,289/year (purchasing power: $147,028).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$71.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Costa Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $71.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $71.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $85.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Costa Mesa grew 10.0% from $71.37/hr (2019) to $78.51/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.41/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 Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa
Part-time pharmacists in Costa Mesa working a 3-day week, for example, could take home approximately $62,036 annually, while full-time pharmacists rake in significantly higher figures. Per-diem opportunities present variations in hourly compensation based on the care setting. Retail pharmacists may find per diem rates ranging from $55 to $75 per hour, while those working in hospital settings may earn between $60 and $85. Specialized roles in oncology or critical care provide even higher pay, reaching up to $95 per hour. Pharmacists working within retail chains like CVS or Walgreens might face varying hourly wages, influenced by the evolving pharmacy market, while others find better benefits in positions offering lower hourly rates. Negotiating strategies should focus on assessing overall compensation packages, including health insurance, especially as measured against the evolving landscape of pharmacy employment options in Costa Mesa, CA.
More salary data for Costa Mesa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in Costa Mesa in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacists make in Costa Mesa?
Are pharmacists in Costa Mesa paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacist make per year in Costa Mesa?
Do pharmacists earn more per hour working part-time in Costa Mesa?
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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 Costa Mesa. 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 Costa Mesa 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