Pharmacist salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A pharmacist in California earns a median of $164,610 a year ($79.14/hour equivalent), 16.8% above the national median of $140,910. California ranks #3 of 51 states. About 34,030 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $110,573 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $4,253 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $6,331.15
- Federal income tax
- −$1,086.17
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$392.53
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$91.80
- California income tax
- −$425.53
- CA SDI
- −$82.30
- Take-home pay
- $4,252.82
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $164,610
- Federal
- $28,240
- FICA
- $12,593
- State + local
- $13,204
- Net
- $110,573
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alaska | $167,310 |
| #2 | Oregon | $165,960 |
| #3 | California | $164,610 |
| #4 | Hawaii | $163,220 |
| #5 | Washington | $160,610 |
| #49 | Mississippi | $133,230 |
| #50 | Louisiana | $132,410 |
| #51 | Rhode Island | $128,180 |
See the national pharmacist salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Pharmacists (SOC 29-1051), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in California?
The median salary is $164,610 a year and the average is $162,340 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for pharmacists?
California ranks #3 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 17% above the national median of $140,910.
What is $164,610 after taxes in California?
About $110,573 a year ($4,253 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.