Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Irvine, CA: $82.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Irvine, CA runs $82.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $171,913 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Irvine's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,154 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Irvine, California, pharmacist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $82.66 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $68.99. This attractive hourly rate allows pharmacists working part-time, such as those on a 3-day work week, to earn a substantial income even with a reduced schedule. For those who opt for per-diem positions at retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacies, or specialty pharmacy clean rooms, the flexibility of working different hours can be appealing. Hourly compensation in Irvine can range from $57.23 for entry-level positions to as high as $107.77 for top earners, reflecting the diverse salary spectrum within the profession and the various settings pharmacists may work, from ambulatory clinics to mail-order fulfillment operations.
About the Irvine 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) | $57.23 | $457.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75.06 | $600.47 |
| Median (P50) | $82.66 | $661.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99.77 | $798.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.77 | $862.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Irvine
Based on $82.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.66/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Irvine, CA can expect to earn approximately $171,923 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,186. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Irvine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Irvine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,306.22 | $14,327 | $171,923 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,983.73 | $8,596 | $103,154 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,322.49 | $5,731 | $68,769 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Irvine) | $82.66 |
| 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 Irvine, CA earn a median of $171,913 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.81% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 3.90% above the California state average of $165,461.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.66/hr = $103,154/year (purchasing power: $91,206).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $171,923/year (purchasing power: $152,010).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$73.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$81.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $74.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $74.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $76.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $78.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $88.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $81.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Irvine grew 10.0% from $73.79/hr (2019) to $81.17/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.17/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 Irvine 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 Irvine
When considering potential earnings, part-time pharmacists working 24 hours a week can still take home a respectable annual income compared to full-time workers. Per diem pharmacist pay in Irvine fluctuates based on the type of role and employer; retail pharmacists typically charge between $55 and $75 per hour, while those in clinical settings may earn from $60 to $85 per hour. Specialty areas, particularly in oncology or critical care, can yield even higher rates ranging from $70 to $95 per hour. Additionally, pay can vary widely depending on whether a pharmacist chooses to work in retail chains like CVS or Rite Aid, hospitals, or specialty pharmacies. The trade-off often lies in benefits—while some choose higher hourly rates without health insurance, others accept lower wages for the security of comprehensive benefits. Negotiating hourly rates in Irvine can also hinge on local demand and the impact of recent healthcare shifts, making familiarity with employer standards essential for maximizing potential earnings.
More salary data for Irvine, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Irvine. 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 Irvine 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