Pharmacist Hourly Pay in San Marcos, CA: $79.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in San Marcos, CA runs $79.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $165,471 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against San Marcos's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $70.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,278 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Marcos, California, pharmacists can expect to receive a median hourly pay of approximately $79.55, significantly higher than the national median of $68.99. This favorable rate is particularly appealing for part-time and per-diem workers who often rotate between various settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty pharmacies. With an hourly range spanning from $54.10 to $102.07, entry-level pharmacists can find suitable positions while experienced individuals can reach up to $212,316 annually through hourly work. For many pharmacists, especially those working part-time at three days a week, the hourly wage reflects a sustainable earning potential, allowing for flexibility while still providing solid compensation.
About the San Marcos 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) | $54.10 | $432.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71.23 | $569.84 |
| Median (P50) | $79.55 | $636.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90.91 | $727.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.07 | $816.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Marcos
Based on $79.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.55/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Marcos, CA can expect to earn approximately $165,463 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,460. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Marcos.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Marcos
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,181.98 | $13,789 | $165,463 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,909.19 | $8,273 | $99,278 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,272.79 | $5,515 | $66,185 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (San Marcos) | $79.55 |
| 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 San Marcos, CA earn a median of $165,471 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.32% higher than the national median of $143,489.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.55/hr = $99,278/year (purchasing power: $87,779).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $165,463/year (purchasing power: $146,298).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$71.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in San Marcos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $71.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $71.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $85.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in San Marcos grew 10.0% from $71.01/hr (2019) to $78.12/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.01/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 San Marcos 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 San Marcos
Assessing the earnings for part-time and per-diem pharmacists in San Marcos reveals notable variances in compensation. A pharmacist working three days a week for 24 hours annually would earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, impacting their overall financial landscape. Per-diem rates tend to fluctuate based on the employment setting; for instance, retail pharmacists might see hourly fees between $55 and $75, while those in clinical hospitals could earn $60 to $85, with specialty care positions reaching $70 to $95. Different employers, from retail chains like CVS and Walgreens to specialty pharmacies and hospital settings, often offer varying rates, which can sometimes force pharmacists to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits packages. When negotiating hourly rates in San Marcos, pharmacists should consider discussing flexible work schedules or additional duties to enhance their compensation while weighing the benefits of health insurance against higher pay without such support.
More salary data for San Marcos, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in San Marcos in 2026?
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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 San Marcos. 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 San Marcos 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