Relief and locum pharmacists are in steady demand across London, covering shifts at community pharmacies, hospital outpatient departments, and long-term care homes. Because relief work trades benefits and job security for flexibility, it pays a premium over staff roles. Whether you are setting your first relief rate or fine-tuning your day rate, this guide breaks down what London relief pharmacists earn in 2026.

Reported figures vary by source and shift: national salary data and Ontario surveys put standard relief rates between roughly $50 and $75 per hour, while premium, short-notice, and overnight coverage runs from $65 all the way to $110 per hour. On Relief Guru you set your own rate and keep 100% of it, so more of that premium stays in your pocket.

How Much Do Relief Pharmacists Make in London, Ontario?

A typical relief pharmacist in London earns around $57 per hour on standard shifts, with newer relief pharmacists starting near $50 and senior relief pharmacists reaching $67 per hour or more. The highest-paying urgent, weekend, and overnight shifts in Southwestern Ontario run from $65 all the way to $110 per hour. Here is how the typical relief rate climbs with experience:

Relief Rate by Shift Type in London, Ontario

Relief pay depends heavily on when you work. Standard weekday coverage sits at the base of the range, while evenings, weekends, overnights, and same-day urgent shifts carry rising premiums. The table below shows typical London relief rates by shift type, as an hourly rate and as an 8-hour day rate.

Sources: ZipRecruiter, Indeed Canada, and Government of Canada Job Bank (2025 to 2026). Day rates assume a standard 8-hour booking and vary by pharmacy, notice, and shift.

Relief Pay by Pharmacy Type in London, Ontario

Where you cover a shift shapes your relief rate as much as when you work it. Hospital and long-term care shifts reward clinical skills, high-volume chains value speed and accuracy, and short-notice coverage tops the range in every setting.

New to Relief Work in London, Ontario?

If you are moving from a staff role into relief or locum work, London is a strong place to start. Relief pays a premium from day one, builds experience across many pharmacy types quickly, and lets you set your own rate as your reputation grows. Many London pharmacists begin with weekend and evening relief shifts alongside a staff job, then move to full-time relief once they see the higher hourly and day rates. Start with familiar chains or independents to build speed, keep your injection certification and software skills current, and step up to premium overnight and urgent shifts as your confidence grows.

What Affects Relief Pay in London, Ontario?

Two relief pharmacists in London with the same license can earn very different amounts. The biggest factors are:

• Shift timing. Evenings, weekends, overnights, and same-day urgent coverage carry premium rates, often $65 to $110 per hour.
• Notice period. The less notice a pharmacy gives, the more it will pay to fill the shift fast, which is why same-day urgent coverage tops the range.
• Pharmacy type. Hospital, long-term care, and independent pharmacies often pay differently than large chains.
• Certifications and scope. Injection certification, MedsCheck experience, and minor-ailment prescribing under Ontario's expanded scope raise your value.
• Software fluency. Experience with Kroll, Fillware, HealthWATCH, and other systems lets you step into any London pharmacy and command a higher rate.

How to Earn More as a Relief Pharmacist in London, Ontario

If you want to move toward the top of the London relief range, the fastest levers are:

• Target premium shifts. Weekend, overnight, and same-day coverage in and around London pays the most per hour. Browse open relief shifts and pick the rate and schedule that fit you.
• Set your own rate. On Relief Guru you name your price and pharmacies see it upfront. The set-your-rate guide shows how to price competitively.
• Price with data. Use the pharmacist rate calculator to benchmark your hourly and day rate before you quote.
• Keep 100% of what you earn. Relief Guru takes no cut of your rate, so a $57 shift pays you $57, not $57 minus an agency fee.
• Build a reputation. Strong ratings and reliability lead to repeat invitations from London pharmacies at your preferred rate.

Ready to see live pay? Explore pharmacist jobs in London, Ontario or how Relief Guru staffs London pharmacies.

How London Relief Pay Compares

London relief rates sit close to the Ontario average and just below the highest-demand markets such as Toronto. Because pharmacies everywhere compete for short-notice coverage, relief rates stay strong across the country. Here is how London compares:

For national and provincial benchmarks, see the full pharmacist salary guide for Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking to hire instead? See how Relief Guru staffs London pharmacies fast. Compare pay in other cities on the Canada pharmacist salary guide.