Pharmacist Salary in Puyallup, WA: $154,080 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Puyallup, WA earns a median $154,080/year (≈ $74.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Puyallup's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $143,464 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Puyallup, WA, pharmacists can expect a median annual salary of $154,080 in 2026. This figure places local compensation approximately 7.38% above the national median of $143,489 for the same year. The salary range for pharmacists in this area is considerable, spanning from $115,597 at the 10th percentile to $184,954 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, revealing a complex pay structure influenced by the different roles within the profession. Hospital clinical specialists generally command higher salaries than retail pharmacy managers, with staff pharmacists typically earning less, a dynamic that reflects the demands and responsibilities associated with various positions. The current job market in Puyallup shows promise for pharmacists, driven by growing opportunities in clinical and specialty roles.
About the Puyallup Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $115,597 | $55.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $145,183 | $69.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $154,080 | $74.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,378 | $85.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,954 | $88.92 |
Median Salary Position
7.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Puyallup
In Puyallup, WA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,357 (2026 est.). At $154,080, the local median is 7.38% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Puyallup: You'd be above the median
How Puyallup Pharmacist Pay Compares
Puyallup median: $154,080/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Puyallup Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $160,835 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $143,489 | +7.38% more |
Pharmacists in Puyallup, WA earn a median of $154,080 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.38% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 4.20% below the Washington state average of $160,835.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Puyallup has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Puyallup, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $154,080 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $143,464 — a 6.89% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$137,545
2025 BLS Actual
$151,311
2026 Current Est.
$154,080
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Puyallup (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,545 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $138,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,549 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,071 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,119 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,311 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,080 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,900 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puyallup metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 10.0% from $137,545 (2019) to $151,311 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $156,900 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,355 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puyallup 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) | $115,597 – $145,183 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $145,183 – $154,080 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $154,080 – $178,378 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,378 – $184,954 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Puyallup
With only 10 pharmacists employed in Puyallup, the local job market presents limited competition, which can affect overall salary expectations, especially given the cost of living index of 107.4—indicating that living expenses are higher than the national average. Retail pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens remain major employers, but salaries can vary significantly based on the work setting. Hospital inpatient pharmacies typically offer salaries at the higher end of the scale due to the demanding nature of clinical work compared to retail positions, which may face increased consolidation pressures impacting job security. Factors such as board certification stipends, residency training premiums, and shift differentials for overnight retail work also contribute to disparities in pay. To maximize compensation in Puyallup's market, pharmacists should consider pursuing residency training and additional certifications, which could position them for roles in hospitals or specialties that are growing in demand amidst changing industry dynamics.
More salary data for Puyallup, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Puyallup, WA in 2026?
Is Puyallup, WA a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Can pharmacists make $100K in Puyallup?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted pharmacist salary in Puyallup?
How much does a pharmacist make per hour in Puyallup?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $151,311 for pharmacistsin the Puyallup 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 Puyallup 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