Pharmacist salary in San Diego, CA
Median pay, San Diego metro
$165,130/year
about $79.39 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $154,000 – $201,750
Half of pharmacists in the San Diego metro area earn more than $165,130 a year and half earn less. That's 17% higher than the national median of $140,910, and ranks #5 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $131,400 | $63.17 |
| 25th | $154,000 | $74.04 |
| Median (50th) | $165,130 | $79.39 |
| 75th | $201,750 | $97.00 |
| 90th (top earners) | $214,480 | $103.12 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a pharmacist job in the San Diego metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $154,000 ($74.04/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $154,000 to $201,750 ($74.04 to $97.00/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $201,750 ($97.00/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Retail and hospital pharmacist roles differ a lot in hours and workload. Ask about staffing and scripts per day.
- Ask whether you'd float between locations and whether travel time is paid.
- Some roles pay more for evening, overnight or weekend shifts.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, San Diego metro. Occupation: Pharmacists (SOC 29-1051). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.