Pharmacist Salary

Kennewick vs Seattle: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacist salaries between Kennewick, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kennewick, WA
$161,024
$77.41/hr
Seattle, WA
$165,851
$79.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$161,024$165,851
Hourly Rate$77.41$79.73
Entry Level (P10)$127,063$128,723
25th Percentile$135,607$141,951
75th Percentile$171,522$196,389
Top Earner (P90)$206,216$213,293
Total Employed2204,440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($161,024) and Seattle ($165,851) pharmacist salaries.KennewickSeattleMedian Salary$161,024$165,851Entry Level (P10)$127,063$128,723Top Earner (P90)$206,216$213,293US Median $143,489

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kennewick.

The salary gap between Kennewick and Seattle is $4,827 (3.00%). Seattle's median is +15.58% compared to the US national median of $143,489.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kennewick spans $79,153,Seattle spans $84,570. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.

Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$127,063
P25$135,607
Median$161,024
P75$171,522
P90 (Top)$206,216
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$128,723
P25$141,951
Median$165,851
P75$196,389
P90 (Top)$213,293

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($160,897 effective) pays 7.81% more than Seattle ($149,237 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $161,024
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $160,897
Seattle
Nominal: $165,851
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $149,237

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $160,897)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($165,851/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($213,293)
  • Larger job market (4,440 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Kennewick grew 20.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.1% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+20.3%

$131,400 (2019) → $158,130 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+22.1%

$133,360 (2019) → $162,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Kennewick or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median pharmacist salary at $165,851/year, compared to Kennewick at $161,024/year — a difference of $4,827 (3.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Seattle?

Kennewick pharmacists earn $77.41/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $79.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kennewick to Seattle as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $160,897, Seattle = $149,237), job availability (220 vs 4,440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacists earn in Kennewick vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $127,063 in Kennewick and $128,723 in Seattle. The Seattle area offers higher starting salaries.

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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD

Career Analyst

Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Patel, PharmDData verified by Amina Al-Sayed, PharmD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.83% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov