Pharmacist Salary in Issaquah, WA: $158,901 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Issaquah, WA earns a median $158,901/year (≈ $76.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Issaquah's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $147,953 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Issaquah, Washington, the pharmacist salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $158,901 in 2026, highlighting the city’s competitive pay level amid ongoing changes in the retail pharmacy sector. This projection aligns favorably when contrasted with the national median of $143,489, positioning local salaries approximately 10.74% higher. Salary ranges for pharmacists in this area reflect a broad spectrum, with the lowest earners making around $114,035 and those in the highest percentile earning as much as $184,353. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost differences, illustrate how the consolidation among retail pharmacy chains, such as CVS and Walgreens, has reshaped the local job market, creating new opportunities and shifts in compensation.
About the Issaquah Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $114,035 | $54.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $146,023 | $70.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,901 | $76.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,003 | $85.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,353 | $88.63 |
Median Salary Position
10.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Issaquah
In Issaquah, WA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,318 (2026 est.). At $158,901, the local median is 10.74% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Issaquah: You'd be above the median
How Issaquah Pharmacist Pay Compares
Issaquah median: $158,901/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Issaquah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $160,831 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +10.74% more |
Pharmacists in Issaquah, WA earn a median of $158,901 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.74% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $160,831.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Issaquah has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Issaquah, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,901 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,953 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$141,848
2025 BLS Actual
$156,045
2026 Current Est.
$158,901
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Issaquah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $141,848 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,535 | Actual |
| 2021 | $142,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $147,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,641 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,783 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,045 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,901 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $161,809 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Issaquah metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $141,848 (2019) to $156,045 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $161,809 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,961 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Issaquah 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) | $114,035 – $146,023 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $146,023 – $158,901 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,901 – $177,003 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,003 – $184,353 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Issaquah
The job market in Issaquah for pharmacists currently employs only nine professionals, yet this small figure points to the area's competitive landscape. With a cost of living index of 107.4, living expenses are somewhat elevated, which may influence overall take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, retail chains like CVS and Rite Aid are notable players, but hospital pharmacies and specialty pharmacy roles command higher salaries. The wage gap often stems from factors such as the setting of employment, specific certifications like BPS board certification, and experience levels. As the industry continues its transformation, pharmacists looking to maximize their earnings in Issaquah should consider pursuing additional credentials, such as those from ASHP or APhA, and exploring roles that benefit from experience in vaccinations, point-of-care testing, and inpatient care.
More salary data for Issaquah, 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 $156,045 for pharmacistsin the Issaquah 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 Issaquah 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