Pharmacist Salary in Ellensburg, WA: $153,502 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Ellensburg, WA earns a median $153,502/year (≈ $73.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Ellensburg's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $142,926 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pharmacist salaries in Ellensburg, Washington, are projected to see a healthy increase in 2026, with a median annual compensation of $153,502, outpacing the national benchmark by 6.98%. The salary range reflects a wide disparity in earnings, from $113,008 at the 10th percentile to $177,384 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations through the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The post-2023 retail chain consolidation has created a shift in the local pharmacy employment market, resulting in a more competitive landscape as the focus shifts to expanding roles in specialty and hospital pharmacy, which are often better compensated than traditional retail positions.
About the Ellensburg Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $113,008 | $54.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $142,687 | $68.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,502 | $73.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,952 | $82.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,384 | $85.28 |
Median Salary Position
6.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ellensburg
In Ellensburg, WA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,376 (2026 est.). At $153,502, the local median is 6.98% above the national median of $143,489.
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At 40 hours/week in Ellensburg: You'd be above the median
How Ellensburg Pharmacist Pay Compares
Ellensburg median: $153,502/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ellensburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $160,903 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +6.98% more |
Pharmacists in Ellensburg, WA earn a median of $153,502 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.98% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 4.60% below the Washington state average of $160,903.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ellensburg has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ellensburg, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,502 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $142,926 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$137,028
2025 BLS Actual
$150,743
2026 Current Est.
$153,502
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Ellensburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,028 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,692 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,542 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,014 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,522 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,559 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,743 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,502 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,311 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ellensburg metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $137,028 (2019) to $150,743 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $156,311 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,283 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ellensburg 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) | $113,008 – $142,687 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $142,687 – $153,502 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,502 – $170,952 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,952 – $177,384 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Ellensburg
The job market for pharmacists in Ellensburg currently employs six professionals, highlighting a small but pivotal workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, pharmacists may need to consider how inflated living costs can affect their purchasing power, especially when comparing earnings in various roles. Among local employers, retail chains like CVS and Walgreens typically offer competitive starting salaries, but specialty pharmacies and hospital settings generally provide higher pay opportunities. Wage variability often stems from factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the increasing complexity of clinical pharmacy roles. To maximize their earnings, pharmacists should consider pursuing board certifications, engaging in continuous professional development, and exploring advanced roles in hospital settings or specialty fields where the demand for skilled pharmaceutical care is growing.
More salary data for Ellensburg, 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 $150,743 for pharmacistsin the Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg 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