Pharmacist Hourly Pay in El Cajon, CA: $79.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in El Cajon, CA runs $79.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $164,629 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against El Cajon's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $98,782 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In El Cajon, California, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected to reach $79.15 in 2026, which is substantially higher than the national median of $68.99. This difference reflects the demand for skilled pharmacists within the region. For pharmacists working part-time, perhaps three days a week, this rate translates to significant income, and for per-diem workers, it offers the flexibility often desired in today’s healthcare landscape. The hourly pay range for pharmacists in El Cajon varies considerably, from $53.61 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $99.54 at the upper end (90th percentile). Such variations highlight the opportunity for entry-level pharmacists to earn while gaining experience, as well as the potential for seasoned pharmacists to command top-tier rates, particularly in settings like retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacies, and specialized environments such as oncology units and ambulatory care clinics.
About the El Cajon 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) | $53.61 | $428.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70.80 | $566.42 |
| Median (P50) | $79.15 | $633.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91.99 | $735.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.54 | $796.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Cajon
Based on $79.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.15/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Cajon, CA can expect to earn approximately $164,637 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $94,983. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in El Cajon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Cajon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,166.10 | $13,720 | $164,637 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,899.66 | $8,232 | $98,782 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,266.44 | $5,488 | $65,855 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (El Cajon) | $79.15 |
| 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 El Cajon, CA earn a median of $164,629 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.73% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.50% below the California state average of $165,456.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.15/hr = $98,782/year (purchasing power: $87,341).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $164,637/year (purchasing power: $145,568).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$70.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in El Cajon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $71.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $70.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $84.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in El Cajon grew 10.0% from $70.66/hr (2019) to $77.73/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $80.60/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 El Cajon 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 El Cajon
When examining the realities of part-time work, a pharmacist in El Cajon clocking in for 24 hours a week would see a take-home that differs markedly from full-time colleagues, which can be advantageous for conducting locum tenens or balancing other personal commitments. Per diem pharmacist pay in El Cajon varies widely based on specialty and setting, with retail positions generally ranging from $55 to $75 per hour, while hospital facilities may offer $60 to $85, and specialty roles often command as high as $70 to $95 per hour. The landscape of hourly wages is also influenced by varying employer types, with retail chains like CVS and Walgreens sometimes paying less compared to specialty pharmacies such as Accredo or mail-order operations like Express Scripts. For many pharmacists, accepting a slightly lower hourly rate in exchange for benefits, including health insurance, is a common trade-off that factors into their decision-making. Negotiating effectively for hourly roles can hinge on understanding region-specific trends and quantifying the value of ancillary benefits. This knowledge is crucial for both new graduates and seasoned practitioners navigating their career path in California.
More salary data for El Cajon, 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 El Cajon. 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 El Cajon 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