Pharmacist Salary in Alhambra, CA: $163,073 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Alhambra, CA earns a median $163,073/year (≈ $78.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Alhambra's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $144,185 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Alhambra, California, can expect a median annual salary of $163,073, reflecting the region's evolving job market driven by recent retail chain consolidations. With salaries ranging from $120,803 at the 10th percentile to $204,464 at the 90th percentile, these figures indicate competitive compensation within the field. The estimates draw from local BLS state-level data alongside regional price adjustments, emphasizing how Alhambra's pharmacist pay compares favorably to the national median of $143,489. Given the shifting landscape of retail pharmacy—where major chains like CVS and Walgreens are closing locations—pharmacist opportunities are diversifying, particularly in hospital or specialty settings that may offer attractive compensation packages.
About the Alhambra Market
Salary estimated from California average ($157,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $120,803 | $58.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $152,930 | $73.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $163,073 | $78.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,499 | $88.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,464 | $98.30 |
Median Salary Position
13.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alhambra
In Alhambra, CA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,661 (2026 est.). At $163,073, the local median is 13.65% above the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Alhambra: You'd be above the median
How Alhambra Pharmacist Pay Compares
Alhambra median: $163,073/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alhambra Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $165,556 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +13.65% more |
Pharmacists in Alhambra, CA earn a median of $163,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.65% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 1.50% below the California state average of $165,556.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alhambra has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alhambra, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $163,073 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $144,185 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$145,572
2025 BLS Actual
$160,142
2026 Current Est.
$163,073
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Alhambra (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $145,572 | Actual |
| 2020 | $146,277 | Actual |
| 2021 | $146,118 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,868 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,596 | Actual |
| 2024 | $174,969 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,142 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,073 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,057 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alhambra metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $145,572 (2019) to $160,142 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,057 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,485 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alhambra 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $120,803 – $152,930 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $152,930 – $163,073 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $163,073 – $183,499 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,499 – $204,464 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Alhambra
Despite being home to only 13 pharmacists, Alhambra's job market highlights intriguing contrasts in pay and cost of living, with a cost-of-living index of 113.1. This indicates that take-home purchasing power may be affected, especially for those focusing solely on retail positions. Employers such as CVS and Walgreens dominate the retail pharmacy sector, yet opportunities in inpatient pharmacies and specialty services often provide higher pay due to heightened demand for clinical expertise. Factors that influence salary differentials include board certification stipends, residency training, and shift differentials for overnight positions. Given these dynamics, pharmacists seeking to maximize their pay should consider obtaining advanced credentials, pursuing residency programs, and exploring roles in specialized healthcare settings to capitalize on Alhambra's evolving opportunities.
More salary data for Alhambra, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $160,142 for pharmacistsin the Alhambra metropolitan area. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alhambra 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