Pharmacist Salary in Folsom, CA: $177,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Folsom, CA earns a median $177,028/year (≈ $85.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Folsom's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $156,523 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Following the consolidation trend in the retail pharmacy sector post-2023, the pharmacist salary in Folsom, California, has seen significant adjustments. By 2026, estimates indicate a median annual salary of $177,028, setting this locality above the national average of $143,489. This local compensation reflects a salary range from $119,494 at the 10th percentile to $214,768 at the 90th percentile, highlighting notable income variation predominantly shaped by the local job market conditions and cost of living adjustments. The area's demand for pharmacists remains robust, with diverse opportunities that cater to different professional backgrounds, particularly as positions in specialized and hospital settings grow.
About the Folsom Market
Salary estimated from California average ($157,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $119,494 | $57.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $157,827 | $75.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $177,028 | $85.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $201,633 | $96.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,768 | $103.26 |
Median Salary Position
23.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Folsom
In Folsom, CA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,274 (2026 est.). At $177,028, the local median is 23.37% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Folsom: You'd be above the median
How Folsom Pharmacist Pay Compares
Folsom median: $177,028/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Folsom Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $165,447 | +7.00% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +23.37% more |
Pharmacists in Folsom, CA earn a median of $177,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.37% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 7.00% above the California state average of $165,447.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Folsom has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Folsom, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $177,028 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,523 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$158,030
2025 BLS Actual
$173,847
2026 Current Est.
$177,028
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Folsom (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $158,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $158,795 | Actual |
| 2021 | $158,623 | Actual |
| 2022 | $163,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $167,826 | Actual |
| 2024 | $176,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $173,847 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $177,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $180,268 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Folsom metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $158,030 (2019) to $173,847 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $180,268 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,238 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Folsom 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) | $119,494 – $157,827 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $157,827 – $177,028 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $177,028 – $201,633 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $201,633 – $214,768 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Folsom
Folsom currently employs 17 pharmacists across various sectors, demonstrating a stable yet competitive local job market. With a cost of living index at 113.1, earning potential can feel impacted, making take-home pay critical for meeting day-to-day expenses. Retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens represent the largest employers in the area; however, hospital positions often command higher salaries, especially for clinical specialists. The discrepancy between the lower and higher pay levels can be attributed to various factors like shift differentials, board certification stipends, and the increasing necessity for residency training in hospital roles. To maximize compensation in this particular area, pursuing board certifications and considering specialty pharmacy or hospital roles may yield better financial rewards, especially given the ongoing consolidation within retail pharmacy outlets.
More salary data for Folsom, 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 $173,847 for pharmacistsin the Folsom 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 Folsom 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