Pharmacist Salary in Washington, DC: $153,295 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Washington, DC earns a median $153,295/year (≈ $73.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $140,787 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.7% below the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Washington, DC, the pharmacist salary is quite competitive, with a 2026 median annual pay projected at $153,295, which exceeds the national median of $143,489 by approximately 6.83%. Pharmacists in the district experience a wide salary range, from $123,642 at the 10th percentile to $182,510 at the 90th percentile. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, reflects a market that favors specialized roles, such as hospital clinical specialists, which typically command higher salaries compared to retail pharmacists and staff positions. Given the evolving nature of healthcare in Washington, pharmacists may find themselves in an increasingly dynamic job market that values advanced training and board certifications more than ever.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $123,642 | $59.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $137,786 | $66.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,295 | $73.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,734 | $80.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,510 | $87.75 |
Median Salary Position
6.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,868 (2026 est.). At $153,295, the local median is 6.83% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be above the median
How Washington Pharmacist Pay Compares
Washington median: $153,295/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $167,902 | -8.70% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +6.83% more |
Pharmacists in Washington, DC earn a median of $153,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.83% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 8.70% below the District of Columbia state average of $167,902.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,295 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,787 — a 8.16% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$127,230
2025 BLS Actual
$150,540
2026 Current Est.
$153,295
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $144,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,295 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,100 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 18.3% from $127,230 (2019) to $150,540 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $156,100 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,870 (22.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $123,642 – $137,786 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $137,786 – $153,295 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,295 – $167,734 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,734 – $182,510 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Washington
Employment for pharmacists in Washington shows robust strength, with around 5,260 professionals contributing to the local healthcare landscape. However, the cost of living in the city, with an index of 108.884, affects take-home pay significantly. Among local employers, hospital settings, specialty pharmacies, and mail-order services tend to offer the most lucrative compensation, which is crucial for professionals aiming to maximize their earnings. The disparity in pay often stems from various factors, such as board certification stipends, shift differentials for overnight roles, and the increasing demand for residency-trained pharmacists. The recent consolidation within retail chains like CVS and Walgreens may further influence compensation trends, making it vital for aspiring pharmacists in Washington to seek roles that align with their credentials, particularly in specialties that are witnessing growth in the current market.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $150,540 for pharmacistsin the Washington metropolitan area. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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