Pharmacist Salary in Brentwood, CA: $165,078 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Brentwood, CA earns a median $165,078/year (≈ $79.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Brentwood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $145,958 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacists in Brentwood, CA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $165,078 in 2026, a figure that reflects a significant increase compared to national norms. The salary range for pharmacists in this area spans from $112,315 at the 10th percentile to $211,019 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the variability in compensation based on experience and role specifics. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions. The local job market has been influenced by recent retail chain consolidations, leading to shifts in employment opportunities and pay scales for pharmacists in Brentwood, which is home to a comparatively small workforce of 13 pharmacists.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($157,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112,315 | $54.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $147,331 | $70.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $165,078 | $79.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,179 | $90.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,019 | $101.45 |
Median Salary Position
15.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
In Brentwood, CA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,704 (2026 est.). At $165,078, the local median is 15.05% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brentwood: You'd be above the median
How Brentwood Pharmacist Pay Compares
Brentwood median: $165,078/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $165,574 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +15.05% more |
Pharmacists in Brentwood, CA earn a median of $165,078 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.05% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.30% below the California state average of $165,574.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brentwood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brentwood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $165,078 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $145,958 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$147,362
2025 BLS Actual
$162,111
2026 Current Est.
$165,078
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $147,362 | Actual |
| 2020 | $148,075 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,914 | Actual |
| 2022 | $152,723 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,497 | Actual |
| 2024 | $177,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,111 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $165,078 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $168,099 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brentwood metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $147,362 (2019) to $162,111 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $168,099 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,737 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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) | $112,315 – $147,331 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $147,331 – $165,078 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $165,078 – $188,179 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,179 – $211,019 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Brentwood
The local job market demonstrates a unique environment for pharmacist pay in Brentwood, particularly with an elevated cost of living index of 113.1, which impacts purchasing power for residents. While retail chains like CVS and Walgreens are traditional employers, the expansion of hospital and specialty pharmacy roles may offer higher wages to those with specific qualifications, such as board certifications or completed residencies. Factors like shift differentials for overnight retail positions and experience in clinical settings further contribute to the disparities in pay within this market. Pharmacists looking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing advanced practice certifications, taking on roles in hospital settings, or specializing in high-demand areas such as mail-order pharmacies. With the continued evolution of pharmacy practice and increasing patient care responsibilities, opportunities abound for those willing to adapt and expand their skill set in Brentwood.
More salary data for Brentwood, 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 $162,111 for pharmacistsin the Brentwood 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 Brentwood 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