Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Federal Way, WA: $76.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Federal Way, WA runs $76.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $159,459 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Federal Way's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $95,681 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Federal Way, Washington, the projected pharmacist hourly pay stands at $76.67 in 2026, notably higher than the national median hourly wage of $68.99. This pay level offers a favorable environment for both part-time and per-diem pharmacists who work in various settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, and ambulatory care clinics. For those working three days a week, this means a potential take-home income that reflects strong compensation in contrast to many other professions. Entry-level pharmacists can expect to earn around $53.97 per hour, whereas top earners can command up to $95.83 per hour, illustrating a significant financial incentive within the profession in Federal Way.
About the Federal Way Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53.97 | $431.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69.90 | $559.17 |
| Median (P50) | $76.67 | $613.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.76 | $710.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.83 | $766.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Federal Way
Based on $76.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $76.67/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Federal Way, WA can expect to earn approximately $159,469 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $92,001. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Federal Way.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Federal Way
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,066.71 | $13,289 | $159,469 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,840.03 | $7,973 | $95,681 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,226.68 | $5,316 | $63,788 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Federal Way) | $76.67 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.81 |
Pharmacists in Federal Way, WA earn a median of $159,459 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.13% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $160,907.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $76.67/hr = $95,681/year (purchasing power: $89,089).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $159,469/year (purchasing power: $148,481).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$68.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$76.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Federal Way (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $68.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $68.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $70.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $74.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Federal Way grew 10.0% from $68.44/hr (2019) to $75.29/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $78.07/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Federal Way metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Pharmacist in Federal Way
When examining part-time and per-diem earning scenarios, pharmacists working 24 hours a week can anticipate a lucrative but variable annual income. While full-time positions provide stability, per-diem rates for retail pharmacists typically range from $55 to $75 per hour, whereas hospital clinical pharmacists may earn between $60 and $85 per hour. Specialty roles, such as those in oncology or critical care, often yield higher rates, reflecting the demand for specialized expertise. In Federal Way, hourly pay varies across employers, with retail chains like CVS and Walgreens offering competitive rates but often lacking benefits that come with hospital roles. Many pharmacists must balance the trade-offs of higher hourly pay against comprehensive health insurance benefits and job security. Negotiating for the best compensation is crucial, especially for those in a fluctuating job market like retail pharmacy, as the consolidation of pharmacy chains continues to reshape employment opportunities.
More salary data for Federal Way, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacists in Federal Way. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Federal Way is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov