Pharmacist in Long Beach, CA

For Pharmacists considering a move to Long Beach, CA, this guide provides a data-driven look at the local market. Long Beach is a unique Southern California city—a dense, diverse, coastal hub with a strong port economy, a major university, and a sprawling healthcare network. It’s not the same as the broader Los Angeles metro, and understanding its specific dynamics is key to making an informed career decision.

The Salary Picture: Where Long Beach Stands

The salary landscape for Pharmacists in Long Beach is robust, but it’s critical to understand the context. The median salary for a Pharmacist in Long Beach is $142,355/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $68.44/hour. This sits comfortably above the national average of $136,030/year. However, this number reflects the 10-year job growth of -3% for the metro area, indicating a tightening market where competition for the best positions is increasing. The metro area contains approximately 898 Pharmacist jobs, a relatively stable but not rapidly growing number.

To understand where you might fit, here’s a breakdown of salary expectations by experience level. Note that these are estimates based on local market trends and are not official BLS data.

Table 1: Pharmacist Salary by Experience Level in Long Beach, CA

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary Range	Typical Settings
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$115,000 - $130,000	Community pharmacy, retail chains, hospital residency
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$135,000 - $155,000	Hospital systems, specialty clinics, independent pharmacies
Senior (8-15 years)	$155,000 - $175,000+	Clinical specialist, pharmacy manager, industry roles
Expert/Leadership (15+ years)	$175,000 - $200,000+	Director of Pharmacy, clinical research, academia

Compared to other major California cities, Long Beach offers a competitive salary but is often outpaced by high-cost centers like San Francisco and San Jose. However, it can be more accessible than Los Angeles proper, with a slightly less intense pace.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

To understand your real purchasing power, you must factor in California’s high tax burden and the city’s cost of living. The Cost of Living Index for Long Beach is 115.5 (with the US average at 100), driven heavily by housing. The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $2,006.

Let’s break down the monthly budget for a Pharmacist earning the median salary of $142,355 per year. This assumes a single filer with no dependents, using standard 2023-2024 tax rates and a 20% effective tax rate (a conservative estimate for CA state and federal taxes).

Table 2: Estimated Monthly Budget for a Pharmacist Earning $142,355

Category	Monthly Amount	Notes
Gross Monthly Income	$11,863	($142,355 / 12 months)
Estimated Taxes	-$2,373	~20% effective rate (Federal + CA State)
Net Monthly Income	$9,490	Take-home pay
Rent (1BR Average)	-$2,006	Varies by neighborhood (see below)
Utilities & Internet	-$250	Electricity, gas, water, internet
Groceries & Food	-$600	Moderate spending for one person
Transportation	-$450	Car payment, insurance, gas, or public transit
Health Insurance	-$350	Employer-sponsored plan (employee share)
Student Loan Payment	-$400	Varies widely; CA pharmacists often carry high debt
Retirement (401k 5%)	-$593	Pre-tax deduction
Miscellaneous / Savings	-$4,841	Discretionary spending, emergency savings, etc.

Can they afford to buy a home? With a net income of $9,490/month, a pharmacist could theoretically afford a mortgage. However, the median home price in Long Beach is over $800,000. A 20% down payment would be $160,000, and a 30-year mortgage at 7% would have a monthly payment of ~$4,200 (including taxes and insurance). This would consume nearly 45% of your net income, which is financially strained. Many pharmacists in Long Beach rent or buy in more affordable neighboring cities like Lakewood or Bellflower.

Where the Jobs Are: Long Beach's Major Employers

The job market is concentrated around several key sectors. While retail chains are everywhere, the most stable and well-compensated roles are in hospitals, specialty clinics, and academia.

1. St. Mary Medical Center (Dignity Health): A major trauma center serving Long Beach and the surrounding area. Their pharmacy department is known for its clinical specialization. Hiring is steady, often for Clinical Pharmacy Specialists in critical care and oncology.
2. Long Beach Memorial Medical Center (MemorialCare): One of the largest employers in the city. They have a robust pharmacy residency program, making it a prime target for new grads. They also employ pharmacists in their specialty clinics (e.g., heart failure, transplant).
3. Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach: Part of the MemorialCare system, this pediatric-focused hospital is a key employer for pharmacists interested in pediatric or women's health specialties.
4. VA Long Beach Healthcare System: A large federal facility with a strong pharmacy service. Federal jobs offer excellent benefits and job security but are highly competitive. They often hire for ambulatory care and inpatient roles.
5. Kaiser Permanente (Southern California Permanente Medical Group): While their main medical centers are elsewhere, Kaiser has numerous outpatient pharmacies and clinics in the Long Beach area. They are a major employer with a focus on integrated care and management.
6. Long Beach College of Pharmacy (California State University, Long Beach): For those interested in academia or research, CSULB offers positions in their PharmD program. These roles are rare but prestigious.
7. Specialty Pharmacies & Industry: Companies like CVS Specialty and independent compounding pharmacies have a presence. The Port of Long Beach also creates opportunities in industrial pharmacy and logistics for companies like Pfizer or Amgen (with facilities in nearby Thousand Oaks).

Insider Tip: The most lucrative roles are in clinical specialization. A pharmacist with a BCPS (Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist) credential can command a salary at the higher end of the range, especially at a system like MemorialCare or the VA.

Getting Licensed in CA

California has stringent licensing requirements. The process is managed by the California State Board of Pharmacy.

1. Requirements:

   • FPGEC Certification: If you graduated from a non-US pharmacy school, you must obtain Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) certification from the NABP.
   • NAPLEX & CPJE: All candidates must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the California Pharmacists Jurisprudence Examination (CPJE).
   • Live Scan Fingerprinting: Mandatory background check.
   • Certificate of Internship (if required): The CA Board may require a specific number of internship hours if your residency wasn't in the US.

2. Costs & Timeline:

   • Application Fees: Approximately $400-$500 for the license application.
   • Examination Fees: NAPLEX ($485) + CPJE ($200). Total: ~$1,085+ before study materials and travel.
   • Timeline: From application submission to licensure, plan for 3 to 6 months. Processing times can vary. Start the process at least 3 months before you plan to start work.
   • Key Resource: Always check the official California State Board of Pharmacy website for the most current requirements, as they can change.

Best Neighborhoods for Pharmacists

Your choice of neighborhood will dramatically impact your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Long Beach is geographically large and diverse.

• Bixby Knolls / Belmont Shore: A popular choice for professionals. Bixby Knolls has a charming, walkable downtown on Atlantic Ave. Belmont Shore offers a beachy, upscale vibe with higher rents.

  • Commute: 10-15 minutes to St. Mary’s or MemorialCare. Easy access to I-405.
  • 1BR Rent Estimate: $2,200 - $2,600/month.
  • Insider Tip: Parking is notoriously difficult in Belmont Shore. If you have a car, ensure your rental includes a dedicated spot.

• Downtown Long Beach: Urban, dense, and vibrant. Close to the waterfront, restaurants, and nightlife. Good for those who prefer a walkable, city-centric lifestyle.

  • Commute: 5-10 minutes to both major hospitals. Good public transit options (Blue Line).
  • 1BR Rent Estimate: $2,100 - $2,500/month.
  • Insider Tip: The area near the hospital can be gritty. Research specific blocks before signing a lease.

• East Long Beach / Los Alamitos: More suburban, family-oriented, and quieter. Offers more space and single-family homes. Feels like a classic CA suburb.

  • Commute: 15-25 minutes to hospitals. Heavily reliant on driving (Studebaker Rd, Bellflower Blvd).
  • 1BR Rent Estimate: $1,800 - $2,200/month.
  • Insider Tip: Excellent for pharmacists looking to start a family or who prefer a quieter, residential environment.

• North Long Beach (Wrigley Area): Gentrifying neighborhood with a mix of older and new housing. More affordable than the coastal areas, with a strong community feel.

  • Commute: 15-20 minutes to hospitals. Close to the 710 and 405 freeways.
  • 1BR Rent Estimate: $1,600 - $2,000/month.
  • Insider Tip: This area is up-and-coming. New restaurants and cafes are opening, making it a good value for urban-minded professionals.

Table 3: Neighborhood Comparison for Pharmacists

Neighborhood	Vibe	Avg. 1BR Rent	Best For
Bixby Knolls/Belmont Shore	Upscale, walkable, coastal	$2,200 - $2,600	Young professionals, beach lovers
Downtown Long Beach	Urban, dense, vibrant	$2,100 - $2,500	City dwellers, public transit users
East Long Beach	Suburban, quiet, family-friendly	$1,800 - $2,200	Families, those seeking space
North Long Beach (Wrigley)	Up-and-coming, community-focused	$1,600 - $2,000	Value seekers, first-time buyers

The Long Game: Career Growth

Long Beach’s market rewards specialization. With a 10-year job growth of -3%, standing out is essential.

• Specialty Premiums: Pharmacists with board certifications can see a $10,000-$20,000+ premium over the median salary. In-demand specialties in the Long Beach area include:
  • Oncology: With clinics like the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Pavilion.
  • Critical Care & Emergency Medicine: At trauma centers like St. Mary’s.
  • Ambulatory Care: Especially for Kaiser and the VA’s chronic disease management programs.
• Advancement Paths: The classic path is from clinical pharmacist to Pharmacy Manager or Director of Pharmacy. Another growing path is into pharmacy informatics, leveraging Long Beach’s tech-friendly healthcare systems. Academia at CSULB is a niche but stable option.
• 10-Year Outlook: The outlook is stable but not booming. The -3% growth means the field is mature. Job security will come from pivoting into high-demand specialties, management, or leveraging drug information skills in the biotech/industry sector adjacent to the Port of Long Beach. The rise of telehealth may also create remote pharmacist roles, though these are not yet abundant.

The Verdict: Is Long Beach Right for You?

Pros and Cons:

Pros	Cons
Competitive Salaries above the national average.	High Cost of Living, especially housing.
Diverse Employment Landscape: Hospitals, academia, industry, VA.	Job Growth is Negative (-3%), indicating a competitive, slower market.
Unique Coastal Lifestyle without the ultra-premium of Malibu or Newport.	Traffic & Commute: The 405, 710, and 605 freeways are notoriously congested.
Cultural Richness: Vibrant, multicultural city with amazing food and arts.	California Licensing is complex and costly for out-of-state pharmacists.
Proximity to LA for additional opportunities and entertainment.	Parking is a major challenge in popular coastal neighborhoods.

Final Recommendation:
Long Beach is an excellent choice for a mid-career pharmacist seeking a dynamic, diverse city with strong healthcare employers and a competitive salary that stretches further than in San Francisco or San Jose. It is less ideal for new graduates facing a -3% job growth rate, as competition may be fierce. For those who can specialize (BCPS, oncology, critical care) and are willing to navigate high housing costs, Long Beach offers a high quality of life and a rewarding career. Do not move without a secured job offer. Use the salary data to negotiate firmly and ensure the take-home pay aligns with your financial goals.

FAQs

Q: Is the -3% job growth a red flag?
A: It’s a caution, not a deal-breaker. It means the market is saturated, not collapsing. Your success will depend heavily on specialization, flexibility (e.g., considering per-diem or contract roles initially), and leveraging networks within the major hospital systems.

Q: How does the VA compare to a private hospital like MemorialCare?
A: The VA offers superior job security and benefits but can be slower to adopt new technologies. Private hospitals like MemorialCare often offer higher base salaries and more opportunities for rapid clinical and leadership advancement, albeit with more performance pressure.

Q: Are there opportunities for retail pharmacists in Long Beach?
A: Yes, but they are among the lowest-paying positions. Chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid are ubiquitous. The work is demanding, and growth is limited. For a higher salary and better work-life balance, hospital or clinical roles are preferable.

Q: What’s the best way to find a job before moving?
A: Use job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn, but also connect directly with Pharmacy Directors at St. Mary’s, MemorialCare, and the VA via LinkedIn. Recruiters specializing in healthcare (like those from AMN Healthcare or Soliant) are also very active in the California market.

Q: What’s the backup plan if I can’t find a permanent role?
A: Consider per-diem or contract roles at multiple hospitals. This builds your local network and resume. Long Beach’s proximity to Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire expands your potential commuting radius for more opportunities.