Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Santa Ana, CA: $84.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Santa Ana, CA runs $84.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $175,346 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Santa Ana's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $105,213 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Ana, California, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected at $84.31 for 2026, significantly exceeding the national median hourly rate of $68.99. This elevated pay reflects the high demand for pharmacists in various settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy environments. For part-time pharmacists working three days a week, which typically equates to about 24 hours, this means they could earn approximately $2,020 weekly, allowing for a substantial income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly pay range for pharmacists in the area varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at around $54.73 and top earners making as much as $107.57. These estimates are derived from annual salary figures and provide vital insight into the earning potential available for pharmacists in Santa Ana.
About the Santa Ana 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) | $54.73 | $437.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73.57 | $588.58 |
| Median (P50) | $84.31 | $674.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98.69 | $789.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.57 | $860.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Ana
Based on $84.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $84.31/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Ana, CA can expect to earn approximately $175,355 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $101,166. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Ana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Ana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,372.20 | $14,613 | $175,355 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,023.32 | $8,768 | $105,213 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,348.88 | $5,845 | $70,142 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Santa Ana) | $84.31 |
| 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 Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $175,346 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.20% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 6.00% above the California state average of $165,421.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $84.31/hr = $105,213/year (purchasing power: $93,026).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $175,355/year (purchasing power: $155,044).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$75.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$82.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$84.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $75.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $75.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $78.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $79.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $90.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $82.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Santa Ana grew 10.0% from $75.26/hr (2019) to $82.79/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $85.85/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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana
Considering the financial implications of part-time and per-diem work, the flexibility in schedules can be appealing to many pharmacists. For instance, a pharmacist working three days a week would net around $105,028 annually. Those in per-diem roles face different realities, as hourly rates can fluctuate significantly. Retail pharmacists often see rates between $55 and $75, while their hospital counterparts might earn from $60 to $85 per hour. Specialty positions, particularly in areas like oncology or critical care, can command rates of $70 to $95. Hourly pay can also vary depending on the employer type; retail chains like CVS and Walgreens typically offer competitive rates but limited benefits, while hospitals and specialty pharmacies may provide higher pay with robust health insurance plans. Pharmacists weighing their options should consider negotiation strategies, focusing on both wages and the benefits package to align with their professional goals and personal financial needs.
More salary data for Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana 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