Pharmacist Salary

Kennewick vs Tumwater: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Kennewick, WA
$161,024
$77.41/hr
Tumwater, WA
$159,139
$76.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WATumwater, WA
Median Salary$161,024$159,139
Hourly Rate$77.41$76.50
Entry Level (P10)$127,063$111,371
25th Percentile$135,607$150,679
75th Percentile$171,522$175,538
Top Earner (P90)$206,216$197,819
Total Employed2206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($161,024) and Tumwater ($159,139) pharmacist salaries.KennewickTumwaterMedian Salary$161,024$159,139Entry Level (P10)$127,063$111,371Top Earner (P90)$206,216$197,819US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Kennewick and Tumwater is $1,885 (1.18%). 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,Tumwater spans $86,448. Tumwater 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
Tumwater
P10 (Entry)$111,371
P25$150,679
Median$159,139
P75$175,538
P90 (Top)$197,819

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($160,897 effective) pays 8.59% more than Tumwater ($148,174 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $161,024
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $160,897
Tumwater
Nominal: $159,139
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $148,174

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 Tumwater 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 2.5% growth in Tumwater over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+20.3%

$131,400 (2019) → $158,130 (2025)

Tumwater, WA

+2.5%

$152,442 (2024) → $156,279 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Kennewick or Tumwater?

Kennewick has a higher median pharmacist salary at $161,024/year, compared to Tumwater at $159,139/year — a difference of $1,885 (1.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Tumwater?

Kennewick pharmacists earn $77.41/hr while Tumwater hygienists earn $76.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kennewick to Tumwater as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Tumwater. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $160,897, Tumwater = $148,174), job availability (220 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $127,063 in Kennewick and $111,371 in Tumwater. 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