Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Riverside, CA: $79.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Riverside, CA runs $79.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $164,832 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Riverside's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.4, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $98,897 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, the pharmacist hourly pay stands at $79.24, significantly exceeding the national hourly median of $68.99. This competitive pay opens up multiple avenues for part-time and per-diem roles, where pharmacists might work in retail pharmacy settings, hospital pharmacies, or specialty environments. For example, a part-time pharmacist working three days a week could earn a substantial income given the hourly rate, while entry-level positions might start around $50.82. The top earners in the field, those at the 90th percentile, can reach as high as $101.35 per hour, reflecting the diverse opportunities available within Riverside's dynamic job market for pharmacists.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.82 | $406.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.44 | $515.50 |
| Median (P50) | $79.24 | $633.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91.69 | $733.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.35 | $810.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Riverside
Based on $79.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.24/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Riverside, CA can expect to earn approximately $164,828 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,093. With a cost-of-living index of 106.44 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Riverside.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Riverside
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,169.76 | $13,736 | $164,828 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,901.86 | $8,241 | $98,897 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,267.91 | $5,494 | $65,931 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Riverside) | $79.24 |
| 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 Riverside, CA earn a median of $164,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.87% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.40% below the California state average of $165,494.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.24/hr = $98,897/year (purchasing power: $92,911).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $164,828/year (purchasing power: $154,852).
CoL index: 106.442 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$71.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $68.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $73.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $77.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $77.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Riverside grew 8.6% from $71.65/hr (2019) to $77.82/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $80.69/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 Riverside 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 Riverside
For pharmacists considering part-time work, earning potential can vary notably. A pharmacist working 24 hours a week at $79.24 could expect to take home about $62,354 annually, compared to full-time colleagues who benefit from a more consistent salary. Per-diem pharmacist pay in Riverside can range widely; retail pharmacies may compensate between $55-$75/hr, while hospital clinical pharmacy roles might command $60-$85/hr, and specialized positions, such as oncology or critical care, can often push rates to $70-$95/hr. Additionally, hourly rates differ across the types of employers, with retail chains like CVS and Walgreens typically offering less than specialty pharmacies like Accredo or mail-order services like OptumRx. This variation creates a trade-off; some pharmacists might opt for lower hourly wages with the prospect of health benefits, while others prioritize higher pay in roles that may come without such perks. When negotiating hourly wages, pharmacists should strategically evaluate their worth and leverage their certifications, such as ACPE or BPS credentials, to secure competitive rates in this evolving market.
More salary data for Riverside, 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 Riverside. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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