Pharmacist Salary in San Francisco, CA: $180,657 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in San Francisco, CA earns a median $180,657/year (≈ $86.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $156,260 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the wake of retail chain consolidation, which has significantly impacted the pharmacy job market, the pharmacist salary in San Francisco is now projected to reach $180,657 annually in 2026. This figure illustrates a robust increase from previous years, reflecting a growing demand for pharmacists in diversified settings such as hospitals and specialty pharmacies. Salary ranges for pharmacists in the region vary widely, with entry-level positions earning approximately $138,061 and the upper echelon reaching $233,415, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. With the escalating competition in the retail landscape, employers are increasingly compelled to offer competitive compensation to attract qualified pharmacists, making San Francisco an intriguing locale for pharmacy professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $138,061 | $66.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $167,571 | $80.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $180,657 | $86.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $224,148 | $107.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $233,415 | $112.22 |
Median Salary Position
25.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,354 (2026 est.). At $180,657, the local median is 25.9% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Francisco Pharmacist Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $180,657/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $165,436 | +9.20% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +25.90% more |
Pharmacists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $180,657 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.90% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 9.20% above the California state average of $165,436.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $180,657 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,260 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$153,870
2025 BLS Actual
$177,410
2026 Current Est.
$180,657
2019–2027 Growth
+19.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $153,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $161,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $164,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $175,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $180,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $183,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $177,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $180,657 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $183,963 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 15.3% from $153,870 (2019) to $177,410 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $183,963 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,093 (19.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $138,061 – $167,571 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $167,571 – $180,657 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $180,657 – $224,148 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $224,148 – $233,415 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in San Francisco
The local market employs around 3,670 pharmacists, providing a substantial base for career opportunities amid a rising cost-of-living index of 115.613. This financial reality emphasizes the importance of maximizing earnings to maintain purchasing power in San Francisco. Major employers such as CVS, Walgreens, and various hospitals tend to offer the highest salaries, with pharmacist pay in San Francisco CA showing distinctions across different roles. The considerable salary spread is influenced by factors such as work setting—hospital clinical specialists generally earn more than retail pharmacists—and additional stipends for board certifications or overnight shifts. For those looking to enhance their earning potential, pursuing board certifications or specialized residency training could prove vital in standing out in this competitive arena. Understanding employer needs, particularly in the context of a changing retail landscape, is essential for pharmacists looking to thrive financially in this dynamic job market.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $177,410 for pharmacistsin the San Francisco 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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