Pharmacist salary in San Francisco, CA
Median pay, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland)
$177,410/year
about $85.29 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $164,560 – $220,120
Half of pharmacists in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area earn more than $177,410 a year and half earn less. That's 26% higher than the national median of $140,910, and ranks #2 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $135,580 | $65.18 |
| 25th | $164,560 | $79.12 |
| Median (50th) | $177,410 | $85.29 |
| 75th | $220,120 | $105.83 |
| 90th (top earners) | $229,220 | $110.20 |
*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 Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $164,560 ($79.12/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $164,560 to $220,120 ($79.12 to $105.83/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $220,120 ($105.83/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 Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland). Occupation: Pharmacists (SOC 29-1051). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.