Pharmacist Salary in Long Beach, CA: $160,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Long Beach, CA earns a median $160,854/year (≈ $77.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $142,223 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Long Beach, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $160,854, reflecting a significant increase compared to national levels. Local pharmacists see a salary range from $103,190 at the 10th percentile to $214,036 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the competitive pay landscape influenced by recent retail chain consolidations. With the retail pharmacy sector facing contraction due to closures by chains like CVS and Walgreens, there is an ongoing shift that may create opportunities in different segments of pharmacy practice within the area.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($157,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,190 | $49.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $148,722 | $71.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,854 | $77.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $193,589 | $93.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,036 | $102.90 |
Median Salary Position
12.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,846 (2026 est.). At $160,854, the local median is 12.1% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be above the median
How Long Beach Pharmacist Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $160,854/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $165,487 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +12.10% more |
Pharmacists in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $160,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.10% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 2.80% below the California state average of $165,487.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,854 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $142,223 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$143,592
2025 BLS Actual
$157,963
2026 Current Est.
$160,854
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $143,592 | Actual |
| 2020 | $144,287 | Actual |
| 2021 | $144,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $148,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,492 | Actual |
| 2024 | $187,064 | Actual |
| 2025 | $157,963 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,797 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $143,592 (2019) to $157,963 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,797 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,205 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $103,190 – $148,722 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $148,722 – $160,854 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,854 – $193,589 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $193,589 – $214,036 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Long Beach
With 89 pharmacists currently employed in Long Beach, the local job market remains robust despite the challenges posed by recent retail changes. The cost of living index in the region stands at 113.1, indicating a higher-than-average living expense, which can affect the purchasing power of pharmacists. Salaries at retail pharmacy chains, while competitive, can vary widely based on experience and specific roles, with hospital and specialty pharmacy settings likely offering higher remuneration due to increased responsibilities and the demand for specialized training, such as board certification and residency training. Strategies for maximizing pharmacist pay in Long Beach may include pursuing positions in hospital inpatient pharmacies or specialty services, as well as seeking additional certifications to enhance skill sets and marketability.
More salary data for Long Beach, 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 $157,963 for pharmacistsin the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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