Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Westminster, CA: $80.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Westminster, CA runs $80.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $167,280 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Westminster's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $100,371 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Westminster, California, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected to hit $80.43 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $68.99. This premium rate translates to roughly $1,284.80 for a full-time, 40-hour workweek or around $1,700 for a part-time pharmacist working three days a week. Pharmacists who move between various settings—such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital IV rooms, and specialty pharmacy clean rooms—can find diverse needs for their services. The hourly wage can span from a starting point of $56.12 for entry-level positions to as high as $99.85 for experienced practitioners leading in specialized roles. These estimates rely on projected annual salary data, reflecting Westminster's competitive landscape for pharmacy professionals.
About the Westminster 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) | $56.12 | $448.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73.07 | $584.59 |
| Median (P50) | $80.43 | $643.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92.97 | $743.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.85 | $798.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Westminster
Based on $80.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.43/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Westminster, CA can expect to earn approximately $167,285 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $96,510. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Westminster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Westminster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,217.01 | $13,940 | $167,285 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,930.21 | $8,364 | $100,371 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,286.81 | $5,576 | $66,914 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Westminster) | $80.43 |
| 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 Westminster, CA earn a median of $167,280 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.58% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 1.10% above the California state average of $165,460.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.43/hr = $100,371/year (purchasing power: $88,745).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $167,285/year (purchasing power: $147,909).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$71.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Westminster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $72.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $72.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $74.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $76.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $86.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Westminster grew 10.0% from $71.79/hr (2019) to $78.98/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.90/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 Westminster 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 Westminster
When considering part-time work, a pharmacist working three days a week would earn approximately $66,000 annually compared to full-time colleagues, who could make upwards of $167,280. Per-diem pharmacists in Westminster typically earn between $55-$75 per hour in retail settings and might see rates of $60-$85 in hospital environments. Specialty pharmacists focused on oncology or critical care may command $70-$95 per hour, although recent market shifts have compressed retail floater pay. The variance in hourly rates is heavily influenced by employer types—from retail giants like CVS and Walgreens to specialty pharmacies such as Accredo and mail-order operations like OptumRx. Pharmacists often face a choice between accepting lower hourly rates for positions that offer benefits or pursuing higher pay without them. For those negotiating pay, emphasizing experience and specialization can lead to better hourly wages in this evolving sector. Understanding the unique dynamics of pharmacist hourly pay in Westminster is key for both current professionals and those considering entering the field.
More salary data for Westminster, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for pharmacists in Westminster in 2026?
How much do part-time pharmacists make in Westminster?
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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 Westminster. 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 Westminster 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