Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Seattle, WA: $79.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Seattle, WA runs $79.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $165,851 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Seattle's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.1, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,507 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Seattle, the pharmacist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $79.73 in 2026, significantly exceeding the national hourly median of $68.99. This higher pay reflects the competitive nature of the job market in Washington, where pharmacists can thrive in diverse settings such as retail pharmacy counters, hospital inpatient pharmacies, and specialty clean rooms. For part-time workers, such as those committed to three days a week, this translates to earning roughly $3,199 for a typical 30-hour work week, amounting to $166,348 annually, even without full-time hours. The hourly range for pharmacists in the Seattle area extends from $61.88 at the lower end up to $102.54 for top earners, providing a strong incentive for those entering the profession.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61.88 | $495.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68.25 | $545.97 |
| Median (P50) | $79.73 | $637.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94.42 | $755.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.54 | $820.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Seattle
Based on $79.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.73/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Seattle, WA can expect to earn approximately $165,844 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,679. With a cost-of-living index of 111.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Seattle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Seattle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,189.32 | $13,820 | $165,844 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,913.59 | $8,292 | $99,507 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,275.73 | $5,528 | $66,338 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Seattle) | $79.73 |
| 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 Seattle, WA earn a median of $165,851 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.58% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 3.10% above the Washington state average of $160,864.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.73/hr = $99,507/year (purchasing power: $89,538).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $165,844/year (purchasing power: $149,231).
CoL index: 111.133 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$64.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $65.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $66.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $68.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $79.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Seattle grew 22.1% from $64.12/hr (2019) to $78.30/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.19/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 Seattle 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 Seattle
Hourly earnings for part-time pharmacists in Seattle provide an interesting perspective on the overall financial landscape. A pharmacist working only 24 hours a week could still see a respectable income, but full-time positions often come with additional benefits such as health care and retirement plans. In the per diem sector, many pharmacists find opportunities at varying rates, with retail pharmacists typically billing $55-$75 per hour and hospital clinical pharmacists at $60-$85. Specialty roles, such as critical care or oncology, can command higher rates of $70-$95 per hour. The variety of employment settings—from retail chains like CVS and Walgreens to hospital environments and mail-order operations—demonstrates how hourly compensation can differ based on employer type. Many pharmacists may trade off lower hourly rates for benefits in larger pharmacy systems, allowing negotiation flexibility for those prioritizing work-life balance versus immediate pay. Understanding these dynamics can empower pharmacists in Seattle to make informed decisions about their career paths.
More salary data for Seattle, 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 Seattle. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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