Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Santa Maria, CA: $79.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Santa Maria, CA runs $79.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $165,494 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Santa Maria's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.8, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,291 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Maria, California, the pharmacist hourly pay stands at an impressive $79.56, significantly higher than the national median of $68.99. This premium rate reflects the demand for pharmacists in diverse settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital pharmacies, specialty clean rooms, and ambulatory care clinics. For part-time pharmacists working three days a week, this translates to a lucrative compensation structure that rewards flexibility and commitment. The hourly range in this region spans from $63.97 for entry-level positions to $102.27 for top earners, indicating a robust job market that values skill and experience. These figures are drawn from official BLS data, underscoring the stability of career prospects in Santa Maria.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63.97 | $511.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68.84 | $550.70 |
| Median (P50) | $79.56 | $636.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.10 | $704.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.27 | $818.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Maria
Based on $79.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.56/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Maria, CA can expect to earn approximately $165,484 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,472. With a cost-of-living index of 108.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Maria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Maria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,182.39 | $13,790 | $165,484 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,909.43 | $8,274 | $99,291 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,272.96 | $5,516 | $66,194 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Santa Maria) | $79.56 |
| 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 Maria, CA earn a median of $165,494 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.34% higher than the national median of $143,489.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.56/hr = $99,291/year (purchasing power: $91,261).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $165,484/year (purchasing power: $152,102).
CoL index: 108.798 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$73.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+10.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $73.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $73.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $77.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $79.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Santa Maria grew 6.7% from $73.19/hr (2019) to $78.13/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.02/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 Maria 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 Maria
Hourly wages can vary widely for pharmacists based on their employment type in Santa Maria. For instance, a part-time pharmacist working a standard 24-hour week may expect to earn around $98,636 per year, a conservative estimate compared to a full-time career. Per diem roles also present varied pay ranges; in retail settings, pharmacists may receive between $55 and $75 per hour, while hospital clinical pharmacy positions can yield $60 to $85 per hour. Those specializing in critical care might see rates between $70 to $95 an hour. The choice of setting affects not just pay but also job benefits. Pharmacists in retail chains like CVS and Walgreens may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance, whereas others may pursue higher pay without benefits in agency roles. Negotiation is crucial; those in Santa Maria should emphasize specialized skills and experience when discussing pay, especially as the pharmacy market evolves with increased emphasis on advanced practice roles.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 Maria. 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