Pharmaceutical Jobs in California

Pharmaceutical jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in biotech research, drug manufacturing, clinical development, and hospital pharmacy across a range of levels from pharmacy technician through senior clinical pharmacist and director of pharmacy. San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles lead hiring, anchored by employers such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Kaiser Permanente. The specialties drawing the most consistent demand are oncology pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, and regulatory affairs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles177+
Top employerBioMarin Pharmaceutical
Top citySan Rafael, CA
Cities hiring18
Work type85% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 177+ Pharmaceutical jobs

EVERSANA
Specialty Pharmaceutical Representative
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EVERSANA
Added 1w ago
Specialty Pharmaceutical Representative
EVERSANA
San Francisco, California
Sales
Account Management
Inside Sales
$90k - $130k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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EVERSANA
Specialty Pharmaceutical Representative
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EVERSANA
Added 1w ago
Specialty Pharmaceutical Representative
EVERSANA
Mission Viejo, California
Sales
Account Management
Inside Sales
$90k - $130k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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BD
Pharmaceutical Strategic Account Manager
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BD
Added 2w ago
Pharmaceutical Strategic Account Manager
BD
Milpitas, California
Sales
Account Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Business Development
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Septerna
Staff Scientist, Pharmaceutical Development
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Septerna
Added 2w ago
Staff Scientist, Pharmaceutical Development
Septerna
South San Francisco, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
$160k - $180k
On-Site
Doctorate

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Glaukos
Specialty Pharmaceuticals & Trade Director
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Glaukos
Added 1mo ago
Specialty Pharmaceuticals & Trade Director
Glaukos
Aliso Viejo, California
Partnerships & Business Development
Customer Success
Project & Program Management
Healthcare Administration
Business Development
$158k - $197k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's
51-200

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Pharmaceutical Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Rafael
42 jobs
San Diego
34 jobs
Carlsbad
22 jobs
Novato
19 jobs
Sacramento
17 jobs
Los Angeles
12 jobs
South San Francisco
12 jobs
Palo Alto
3 jobs
Pasadena
3 jobs

Pharmaceutical Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • BioMarin Pharmaceutical
    BioMarin Pharmaceutical59
  • Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
    Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals30
  • Ionis Pharmaceuticals
    Ionis Pharmaceuticals16
  • ADARx Pharmaceuticals
    ADARx Pharmaceuticals11
  • Nivagen Pharmaceuticals
    Nivagen Pharmaceuticals10

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals160
  • Healthcare & Medical Services59
  • Science & Research4
  • Education1
  • Medical Devices1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in pharmaceutical jobs across California.

  • Active pharmacist license issued or recognized by the California State Board of Pharmacy
  • Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an ACPE-accredited program required for licensed roles
  • Completion of an ASHP-accredited pharmacy residency for clinical hospital positions
  • Experience with California-regulated controlled substance handling and DEA compliance
  • Proficiency in pharmacy dispensing systems such as Epic Willow or Pyxis
  • Strong knowledge of FDA drug approval processes and California-specific compounding regulations

Pharmaceutical Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a pharmaceutical in California?

To work as a licensed pharmacist in California, you must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited program, complete an internship, and pass both the NAPLEX and MPJE licensing exams through the California State Board of Pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians must register with the same board and may pursue PTCB certification. For pharmaceutical industry roles such as regulatory affairs or clinical research, a bachelor's or advanced degree in a life science field is the standard path.

Which companies hire pharmaceuticals in California?

Employers hiring pharmaceuticals in California right now include BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, and Ionis Pharmaceuticals, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's density of biotech headquarters, integrated health systems, and specialty pharmacy networks makes it one of the deepest pharmaceutical job markets in the country.

Which California cities have the most pharmaceutical jobs?

San Rafael, San Diego, and Carlsbad have the most pharmaceutical job openings in California. San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area drive much of the demand through their large biotech and biopharma company clusters, while Los Angeles supports a broad mix of hospital pharmacy, retail, and specialty pharmacy roles tied to its large and diverse population.

Are there remote pharmaceutical jobs in California?

Yes, but they are limited. About 15% of pharmaceutical openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the fact that most pharmacy roles require on-site dispensing, patient interaction, or laboratory work. Remote opportunities are concentrated in pharmaceutical industry functions such as medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, regulatory writing, and clinical data management.

How can I get hired as a pharmaceutical in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a pharmacy technician role, which requires only a California State Board of Pharmacy registration and is widely available at Kaiser Permanente facilities, large retail pharmacy networks, and health system pharmacies throughout the state. Many large California health systems offer post-graduate year one residency programs for new PharmD graduates. For pharmaceutical industry roles, internships during your degree at San Diego or Bay Area biotech companies are the most direct way in.

Where can I find and apply to pharmaceutical jobs in California?

You can find and apply to pharmaceutical jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the California market. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and credentials, and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 177+ Pharmaceutical Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Pharmaceutical Jobs