Pharmacist Salary

Seattle vs Tukwila: Pharmacist Salary (2026)

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

Seattle, WA
$165,851
$79.73/hr
Tukwila, WA
$148,734
$71.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WATukwila, WA
Median Salary$165,851$148,734
Hourly Rate$79.73$71.51
Entry Level (P10)$128,723$114,176
25th Percentile$141,951$138,299
75th Percentile$196,389$165,685
Top Earner (P90)$213,293$171,941
Total Employed4,4404
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($165,851) and Tukwila ($148,734) pharmacist salaries.SeattleTukwilaMedian Salary$165,851$148,734Entry Level (P10)$128,723$114,176Top Earner (P90)$213,293$171,941US Median $143,489

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Seattle and Tukwila is $17,117 (11.51%). 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 Seattle spans $84,570,Tukwila spans $57,765. Seattle has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$128,723
P25$141,951
Median$165,851
P75$196,389
P90 (Top)$213,293
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, Seattle ($149,237 effective) pays 7.76% more than Tukwila ($138,486 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $165,851
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $149,237
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 Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($165,851/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($213,293)
  • Larger job market (4,440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,237)
  • 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 Seattle grew 22.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.5% growth in Tukwila over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+22.1%

$133,360 (2019) → $162,870 (2025)

Tukwila, WA

+1.5%

$143,944 (2024) → $146,061 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacists more: Seattle or Tukwila?

Seattle has a higher median pharmacist salary at $165,851/year, compared to Tukwila at $148,734/year — a difference of $17,117 (11.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Tukwila?

Seattle pharmacists earn $79.73/hr while Tukwila hygienists earn $71.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to Tukwila as a pharmacist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Tukwila. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $149,237, Tukwila = $138,486), job availability (4,440 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacists earn $128,723 in Seattle and $114,176 in Tukwila. 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