Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Union City, CA: $79.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Union City, CA runs $79.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $165,864 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Union City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $70.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,519 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacist hourly pay in Union City, CA, is projected to be an impressive $79.74 an hour for 2026, significantly surpassing the national median hourly rate of $68.99. This robust hourly wage reflects the rising demand for pharmacists across various work settings, including retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty pharmacy facilities. For part-time pharmacists working three days a week, this translates to a substantial earning potential, fostering opportunities for those seeking reduced hours while still generating a strong income. The hourly pay range for pharmacists in Union City spans from $54.87 at the entry-level to $94.72 for the top earners. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, making it clear that pharmacists in this region are well-compensated for their critical roles in healthcare.
About the Union City 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) | $54.87 | $438.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74.67 | $597.38 |
| Median (P50) | $79.74 | $637.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89.61 | $716.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.72 | $757.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Union City
Based on $79.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.74/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Union City, CA can expect to earn approximately $165,866 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,692. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Union City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Union City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,189.72 | $13,822 | $165,866 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,913.83 | $8,293 | $99,519 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,275.89 | $5,529 | $66,346 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Union City) | $79.74 |
| 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 Union City, CA earn a median of $165,864 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.59% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.20% above the California state average of $165,533.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.74/hr = $99,519/year (purchasing power: $87,992).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $165,866/year (purchasing power: $146,654).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$71.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $71.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $71.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $73.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $85.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Union City grew 10.0% from $71.19/hr (2019) to $78.31/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.20/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 Union City 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 Union City
Exploring the financial landscape for part-time and per-diem pharmacists reveals interesting dynamics. A pharmacist working a typical 24-hour week could earn around $98,732 annually, contrasting sharply with their full-time counterparts. Per-diem pharmacist pay in Union City varies widely; retail pharmacists often bill between $55 and $75 an hour while clinical roles in hospitals range from $60 to $85 per hour. Specialty and critical care positions can command hourly rates as high as $95. However, many choose between higher hourly pay and the security of full-time positions that offer benefits. When negotiating hourly rates, pharmacists should consider factors such as employer type; retail chains like CVS or Walgreens might offer competitive rates but could lack benefits compared to hospital settings, which are increasingly expanding due to the ongoing need for qualified professionals in acute care and specialty pharmacy. Navigating these conversations can make a significant difference in long-term satisfaction and financial security within the field.
More salary data for Union City, 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 Union City. 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 Union City 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