Pharmacist Salary

Kennewick vs Tukwila: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Kennewick, WA
$161,024
$77.41/hr
Tukwila, WA
$148,734
$71.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WATukwila, WA
Median Salary$161,024$148,734
Hourly Rate$77.41$71.51
Entry Level (P10)$127,063$114,176
25th Percentile$135,607$138,299
75th Percentile$171,522$165,685
Top Earner (P90)$206,216$171,941
Total Employed2204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($161,024) and Tukwila ($148,734) pharmacist salaries.KennewickTukwilaMedian Salary$161,024$148,734Entry Level (P10)$127,063$114,176Top Earner (P90)$206,216$171,941US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Kennewick and Tukwila is $12,290 (8.26%). Kennewick's median is +12.22% 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,Tukwila spans $57,765. Kennewick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$127,063
P25$135,607
Median$161,024
P75$171,522
P90 (Top)$206,216
Tukwila
P10 (Entry)$114,176
P25$138,299
Median$148,734
P75$165,685
P90 (Top)$171,941

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($160,897 effective) pays 16.18% more than Tukwila ($138,486 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $161,024
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $160,897
Tukwila
Nominal: $148,734
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $138,486

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Higher median salary ($161,024/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($206,216)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $160,897)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Tukwila if…

  • 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 1.5% growth in Tukwila over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+20.3%

$131,400 (2019) → $158,130 (2025)

Tukwila, WA

+1.5%

$143,944 (2024) → $146,061 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Kennewick or Tukwila?

Kennewick has a higher median pharmacist salary at $161,024/year, compared to Tukwila at $148,734/year — a difference of $12,290 (8.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Tukwila?

Kennewick pharmacists earn $77.41/hr while Tukwila hygienists earn $71.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kennewick to Tukwila as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Tukwila. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $160,897, Tukwila = $138,486), job availability (220 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $127,063 in Kennewick and $114,176 in Tukwila. The Kennewick 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