Pharmacist Salary in Des Moines, WA: $159,425 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Des Moines, WA earns a median $159,425/year (≈ $76.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $148,440 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Des Moines, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $159,425, which reflects a competitive advantage over the national median of $143,489. With salaries ranging from $114,790 at the 10th percentile to $192,137 at the 90th percentile, Des Moines offers a promising landscape for pharmacy professionals. This disparity highlights the premium often associated with residency-trained pharmacists, particularly in hospital and specialty roles, where the demands and clinical responsibilities are notably higher. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, indicate a robust job market in Des Moines, which is increasingly leveraging skilled pharmacists in various practice settings.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $114,790 | $55.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $147,158 | $70.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,425 | $76.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $181,596 | $87.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,137 | $92.37 |
Median Salary Position
11.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,347 (2026 est.). At $159,425, the local median is 11.11% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be above the median
How Des Moines Pharmacist Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $159,425/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $160,873 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +11.11% more |
Pharmacists in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $159,425 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.11% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $160,873.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,425 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,440 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$142,316
2025 BLS Actual
$156,560
2026 Current Est.
$159,425
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $142,316 | Actual |
| 2020 | $143,005 | Actual |
| 2021 | $142,849 | Actual |
| 2022 | $147,494 | Actual |
| 2023 | $151,138 | Actual |
| 2024 | $154,291 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,425 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $162,343 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $142,316 (2019) to $156,560 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $162,343 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,027 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $114,790 – $147,158 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $147,158 – $159,425 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,425 – $181,596 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $181,596 – $192,137 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Des Moines
The job market in Des Moines features a small cohort of only seven pharmacists currently employed, which suggests a competitive environment for available positions. The cost of living index sits at 107.4, slightly above the national average, indicating that while salaries may be high, take-home purchasing power is impacted. Retail chains like CVS and Walgreens, as well as hospital settings, typically drive the highest salaries, with specialty pharmacies also offering lucrative opportunities. Factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials, and residency-trained premiums contribute to the salary variability in this area. Those seeking to maximize their pharmacist pay in Des Moines WA should consider pursuing further certifications, seeking positions in high-acuity environments, or positioning themselves in the expanding specialty pharmacy sector, all while being aware of the retail market's current contraction, which adds an extra layer of complexity to employment opportunities.
More salary data for Des Moines, 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
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 $156,560 for pharmacistsin the Des Moines 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
Salary data for Des Moines 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