Pharmacist Salary in Santa Maria, CA: $165,494 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Santa Maria, CA earns a median $165,494/year (≈ $79.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Santa Maria's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.8), that paycheck buys what $152,111 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacist salaries in Santa Maria, California, are projected to average $165,494 annually, positioning the city above the national median of $143,489 and reflecting a 15.34% premium. The anticipated salary range for pharmacists in the area stretches from $133,061 at the 10th percentile to $212,703 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust opportunity for financial growth, particularly for those in specialized hospital roles. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the allure of residency-trained pharmacists who typically command higher pay in hospital and specialty settings compared to those in retail environments. Given the evolving healthcare landscape, Santa Maria's job market appears favorable for pharmacists, especially those with advanced credentials seeking positions in hospitals or specialty pharmacies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $133,061 | $63.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $143,183 | $68.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $165,494 | $79.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,253 | $88.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,703 | $102.27 |
Median Salary Position
15.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Maria
In Santa Maria, CA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,642 (2026 est.). At $165,494, the local median is 15.34% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Maria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Maria Pharmacist Pay Compares
Santa Maria median: $165,494/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Maria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $143,489 | +15.34% more |
Pharmacists in Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $165,494 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.34% higher than the national median of $143,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Maria has a cost of living 8.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Maria, CA has a cost-of-living index of 108.798 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $165,494 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,111 — a 8.09% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$152,240
2025 BLS Actual
$162,520
2026 Current Est.
$165,494
2019–2027 Growth
+10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $152,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $152,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $153,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $153,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $160,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $165,494 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $168,523 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Maria metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 6.8% from $152,240 (2019) to $162,520 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $168,523 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,283 (10.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Maria 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) | $133,061 – $143,183 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $143,183 – $165,494 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $165,494 – $183,253 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,253 – $212,703 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Santa Maria
Local employment for pharmacists stands at approximately 290, creating a competitive yet thriving market in Santa Maria. The cost of living index in the area is measured at 108.798, indicating that while salaries are strong, the purchasing power reflects the cost of goods and services. Retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens continue to be major employers, but well-paid positions are also found in inpatient hospital pharmacies and specialty pharmacies like Accredo. The variance in pharmacist pay largely stems from factors such as board certification stipends, residency training premiums, and operational shifts in retail pharmacy due to consolidation. Pharmacists looking to enhance their earning potential in Santa Maria should consider pursuing advanced practice certifications and embracing roles in specialized healthcare settings that offer higher compensation.
More salary data for Santa Maria, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $162,520 for pharmacistsin the Santa Maria 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