Pharmacist Salary in Rancho Cucamonga, CA: $167,758 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earns a median $167,758/year (≈ $80.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Rancho Cucamonga's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $148,327 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Rancho Cucamonga's pharmacist salary in 2026 is projected to reach $167,758, reflecting the dynamic shifts in the retail pharmacy landscape post-2023. This figure positions the city significantly ahead of the national median of $143,489, showcasing a robust local compensation structure. With salaries ranging from $110,700 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $206,086 at the higher end (90th percentile), pharmacists in the area can expect diverse earning potential depending on their roles and experience. These estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price parity adjust for local economic conditions, providing pharmacists with a competitive advantage as the market adapts to consolidation among major retail chains.
About the Rancho Cucamonga Market
Salary estimated from California average ($157,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $110,700 | $53.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $157,433 | $75.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,758 | $80.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $192,470 | $92.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,086 | $99.08 |
Median Salary Position
16.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rancho Cucamonga
In Rancho Cucamonga, CA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,386 (2026 est.). At $167,758, the local median is 16.91% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rancho Cucamonga: You'd be above the median
How Rancho Cucamonga Pharmacist Pay Compares
Rancho Cucamonga median: $167,758/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rancho Cucamonga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $165,442 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +16.91% more |
Pharmacists in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earn a median of $167,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.91% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 1.40% above the California state average of $165,442.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rancho Cucamonga has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $167,758 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,327 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$149,755
2025 BLS Actual
$164,743
2026 Current Est.
$167,758
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Rancho Cucamonga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $149,755 | Actual |
| 2020 | $150,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,316 | Actual |
| 2022 | $155,203 | Actual |
| 2023 | $159,038 | Actual |
| 2024 | $179,995 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,743 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,758 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,828 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rancho Cucamonga metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $149,755 (2019) to $164,743 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $170,828 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,073 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rancho Cucamonga 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) | $110,700 – $157,433 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $157,433 – $167,758 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,758 – $192,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $192,470 – $206,086 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Rancho Cucamonga
The strength of the job market for pharmacists in Rancho Cucamonga is seen in the employment of 46 local professionals, a number that reflects ongoing demand despite changes in the retail sector. The area’s cost of living index at 113.1 indicates that while salaries are high, they must also accommodate above-average living expenses. Among local employers, retail pharmacy chains like Walgreens and CVS typically offer competitive wages, yet hospital pharmacies and specialty operations such as Accredo provide higher compensation, particularly for those with advanced certifications or residency training. The factors influencing salary variations include work settings, experience levels, shift differentials, and the ongoing impact of retail consolidation that has changed pay structures. For professionals looking to maximize their pharmacist pay in Rancho Cucamonga CA, pursuing additional certifications, such as BPS board certification, and considering roles that demand specialized skills will be crucial. Additionally, exploring opportunities in ambulatory care or inpatient settings may yield stronger financial rewards in the evolving pharmacy landscape.
More salary data for Rancho Cucamonga, 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 $164,743 for pharmacistsin the Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga 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