Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Tustin, CA: $79.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Tustin, CA runs $79.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $165,327 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Tustin's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $70.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,202 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tustin, California, the pharmacist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $79.49, which significantly outpaces the national median hourly figure of $68.99. This higher rate reflects the cost of living adjustments and the competitive landscape for pharmacists in the area. For those working part-time—such as three days a week, amounting to roughly 24 hours—this salary translates to a commendable weekly income. Tustin pharmacists can find employment settings in retail, hospital, and specialty pharmacy roles, with hourly pay ranging from $53.95 for entry-level positions to $96.80 for top earners. These hourly estimates stem from annual salary projections and demonstrate the significant earning potential for pharmacists in the city, which is experiencing shifts in job types due to retail chain consolidations and the evolving scope of pharmacy practice.
About the Tustin 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) | $53.95 | $431.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71.09 | $568.70 |
| Median (P50) | $79.49 | $635.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90.75 | $726.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96.80 | $774.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tustin
Based on $79.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.49/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tustin, CA can expect to earn approximately $165,336 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,386. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tustin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tustin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,179.54 | $13,778 | $165,336 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,907.72 | $8,267 | $99,202 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,271.82 | $5,511 | $66,134 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Tustin) | $79.49 |
| 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 Tustin, CA earn a median of $165,327 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.10% below the California state average of $165,493.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.49/hr = $99,202/year (purchasing power: $87,711).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $165,336/year (purchasing power: $146,186).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$70.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Tustin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $71.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $71.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $85.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Tustin grew 10.0% from $70.96/hr (2019) to $78.06/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $80.94/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 Tustin 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 Tustin
The financial picture for pharmacists working part-time can differ significantly. A part-time pharmacist working 24 hours a week would earn around $98,681 annually, substantially less than a full-time counterpart. For those engaging in per diem work, the reality varies, with retail pharmacists often billing between $55 and $75 per hour, while hospital clinical pharmacy per-diem rates fluctuate between $60 and $85. Specialty pharmacists can command even higher per-diem rates, ranging from $70 to $95 per hour. The differences in hourly pay highlight the trade-off between employment types; while some may prefer higher hourly wages without benefits, others choose stability with lower rates that include health insurance. Negotiating hourly pay in Tustin requires an understanding of these variances, helping pharmacists optimize their opportunities across diverse settings, from retail chains like CVS and Walgreens to specialized roles in hospital and mail-order environments.
More salary data for Tustin, 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 Tustin. 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 Tustin 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