Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Laguna Niguel, CA: $77.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Laguna Niguel, CA runs $77.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $160,687 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Laguna Niguel's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $68.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $96,406 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the pharmacist hourly pay in Laguna Niguel, CA, is projected to reach $77.25, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $68.99. This favorable rate opens doors for part-time and per-diem pharmacists who typically work in various environments such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV rooms, specialty pharmacies, and ambulatory clinics. Part-time workers clocking in three days a week may find this hourly compensation allows for a comfortable lifestyle in Laguna Niguel, especially given the area's above-average cost of living index of 113.1. Entry-level pharmacists start at around $55.11 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $97.43 per hour, demonstrating a solid earning potential across the profession.
About the Laguna Niguel 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) | $55.11 | $440.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71.10 | $568.78 |
| Median (P50) | $77.25 | $617.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90.21 | $721.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.43 | $779.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Laguna Niguel
Based on $77.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.25/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Laguna Niguel, CA can expect to earn approximately $160,676 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $92,698. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Laguna Niguel.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Laguna Niguel
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,089.93 | $13,390 | $160,676 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,853.96 | $8,034 | $96,406 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,235.97 | $5,356 | $64,271 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Laguna Niguel) | $77.25 |
| 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 Laguna Niguel, CA earn a median of $160,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.99% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.90% below the California state average of $165,486.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.25/hr = $96,406/year (purchasing power: $85,239).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $160,676/year (purchasing power: $142,066).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$68.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Laguna Niguel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $69.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $69.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $71.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $73.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $82.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Laguna Niguel grew 10.0% from $68.96/hr (2019) to $75.86/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $78.66/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 Laguna Niguel 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 Laguna Niguel
Considering part-time opportunities, a pharmacist working 24 hours a week may earn approximately $96,000 annually based on the hourly rate, contrasting sharply with full-time earnings. Per-diem pharmacists in Laguna Niguel navigate variable pay rates; retail pharmacists might earn between $55 and $75 per hour, while hospital roles can command $60 to $85 an hour. Specialty positions often yield even higher rates, ranging from $70 to $95 per hour. Each employment type, whether retail chains like CVS and Walgreens or specialty pharmacies, presents unique compensation structures that influence long-term financial decisions. Many pharmacists in the area face the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits versus stable positions offering health insurance and other perks. Approaching negotiations with a clear understanding of local market conditions and compensation trends is key for pharmacists aiming to maximize their hourly pay while pursuing their career aspirations in Laguna Niguel.
More salary data for Laguna Niguel, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in Laguna Niguel in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacists make in Laguna Niguel?
Are pharmacists in Laguna Niguel paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time pharmacist make per year in Laguna Niguel?
Do pharmacists earn more per hour working part-time in Laguna Niguel?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Laguna Niguel. 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 Laguna Niguel 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