Pharmacist Salary in Washington: $163,586 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $163,586/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $152,315 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Longview ($172,630), Vancouver ($169,917), Walla Walla ($165,210).
In 2026, the average median salary for pharmacists in Washington is projected to be $163,586, which is 14.0% higher than the national median of $143,489. The state's job market for pharmacists, with a total of 6,934 employed, is seeing an annual growth rate of 1.83%, indicating steady demand. Salary discrepancies exist among various metro areas, with Longview offering the highest salary at $175,789, while Tukwila provides the lowest at $148,734. This $27,055 difference may stem from variations in local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of pharmacy jobs in urban versus rural settings. Washington's pharmacist workforce is influenced by specific state regulations, including unique licensing requirements and a wide scope of practice laws that allow pharmacists to participate in patient care beyond traditional roles. Such factors contribute to the demand for pharmacists in the state. Key cities projected for higher salaries include Vancouver at $173,026, Walla Walla at $168,233, Bellevue at $167,476, and Seattle at $165,851, illustrating a clear pattern of higher compensation in areas with greater healthcare infrastructure and services. Overall, Washington offers promising opportunities for those entering the pharmacy field.
Washington Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $102,899 (lowest entry-level) to $225,208 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington pharmacists earn 14.01% more than the national median (+$20,097/year difference).
Washington Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in Washington range from $125,530 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $205,441 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $163,586. The Washington median is $20,097 above the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $78.65/hr. Approximately 6,934 pharmacists are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$132,500
2025 BLS Actual
$160,646
2026 Current Est.
$163,586
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
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 | $132,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $134,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,757 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,427 | Actual |
| 2024 | $160,146 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,646 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,586 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,579 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 21.2% from $132,500 (2019) to $160,646 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,579 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,079 (25.72%) 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tukwila | $148,734 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $148,964 |
| Yakima | $149,334 |
| Covington | $151,058 |
| Kenmore | $151,070 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longview | $175,789 | 97.545 | $180,213 |
| Walla Walla | $168,233 | 98.519 | $170,762 |
| Vancouver | $173,026 | 107.4 | $161,104 |
| Kennewick | $161,024 | 100.079 | $160,897 |
| Mount Vernon | $162,236 | 102.443 | $158,367 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $125,530 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $163,586 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $205,441 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Longview | $175,789 |
| 2 | Vancouver | $173,026 |
| 3 | Walla Walla | $168,233 |
| 4 | Bellevue | $167,476 |
| 5 | Seattle | $165,851 |
| 6 | Renton | $165,114 |
| 7 | Richland | $164,379 |
| 8 | Everett | $163,516 |
| 9 | Tacoma | $163,084 |
| 10 | Marysville | $162,292 |
| 11 | Mount Vernon | $162,236 |
| 12 | Spokane Valley | $161,455 |
| 13 | Shoreline | $161,400 |
| 14 | Kennewick | $161,024 |
| 15 | Bremerton | $160,912 |
| 16 | Redmond | $160,762 |
| 17 | Kent | $160,629 |
| 18 | Kirkland | $160,367 |
| 19 | Burien | $160,163 |
| 20 | Federal Way | $159,459 |
| 21 | Des Moines | $159,425 |
| 22 | Bellingham | $159,354 |
| 23 | Wenatchee | $159,354 |
| 24 | Tumwater | $159,139 |
| 25 | Auburn | $159,054 |
| 26 | Lakewood | $158,990 |
| 27 | Issaquah | $158,901 |
| 28 | Spokane | $158,407 |
| 29 | Sammamish | $157,856 |
| 30 | University Place | $157,801 |
| 31 | Olympia | $157,694 |
| 32 | SeaTac | $157,677 |
| 33 | Pasco | $157,003 |
| 34 | Lacey | $156,401 |
| 35 | Edmonds | $156,040 |
| 36 | Lake Stevens | $155,629 |
| 37 | Lynnwood | $155,529 |
| 38 | Moses Lake | $155,229 |
| 39 | Bothell | $155,117 |
| 40 | Pullman | $154,430 |
| 41 | Puyallup | $154,080 |
| 42 | Ellensburg | $153,502 |
| 43 | Maple Valley | $153,081 |
| 44 | Camas | $152,694 |
| 45 | Oak Harbor | $152,050 |
| 46 | Kenmore | $151,070 |
| 47 | Covington | $151,058 |
| 48 | Yakima | $149,334 |
| 49 | Mountlake Terrace | $148,964 |
| 50 | Tukwila | $148,734 |
More Washington Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced pharmacists.
Compare Cities in Washington
View all comparisons →Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in Washington?
How does Washington pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
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Which Washington city offers the best value for pharmacists?
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
Statewide 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. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacist compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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