Pharmacist Salary in Seattle, WA: $165,851 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time pharmacist in Seattle, WA earns a median $165,851/year (≈ $79.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $149,237 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, pharmacists in Seattle can expect a median annual salary of $165,851, significantly higher than the national median of $143,489. Salary ranges for pharmacists in the area span from $128,723 at the 10th percentile to $213,293 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse settings in which they operate. The pay structure typically varies based on the pharmacist's role; clinical specialists in hospitals often command higher wages compared to retail pharmacists or staff members in community pharmacy settings. This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting Seattle’s competitive job market for pharmacists where differing environments directly affect compensation levels.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $128,723 | $61.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $141,951 | $68.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $165,851 | $79.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $196,389 | $94.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,293 | $102.54 |
Median Salary Position
15.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the pharmacist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,570 (2026 est.). At $165,851, the local median is 15.58% above the national median of $143,489.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Seattle Pharmacist Pay Compares
Seattle median: $165,851/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $160,864 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $143,489 | +15.58% more |
Pharmacists in Seattle, WA earn a median of $165,851 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.58% higher than the national median of $143,489 and 3.10% above the Washington state average of $160,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $165,851 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,237 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$133,360
2025 BLS Actual
$162,870
2026 Current Est.
$165,851
2019–2027 Growth
+26.6%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $133,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $165,851 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $168,886 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 22.1% from $133,360 (2019) to $162,870 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $168,886 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,526 (26.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $128,723 – $141,951 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $141,951 – $165,851 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $165,851 – $196,389 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $196,389 – $213,293 |
PharmD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual pharmacist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Pharmacist Job Market in Seattle
The job market for pharmacists in Seattle is robust, with approximately 4,440 professionals currently employed in the field. However, the cost of living index stands at 111.133, indicating that the expenses for housing and basic necessities are above the national average—this can impact take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital pharmacies and specialty pharmacies generally offer the most competitive salaries, whereas retail chains like CVS and Walgreens tend to pay lower wages, particularly as they consolidate operations. Factors such as board certification stipends, shift differentials, and the requirement for advanced residency training can widen this compensation gap. As you look to maximize your earning potential in Seattle, consider pursuing additional certifications, engaging in specialty areas, and being proactive about your role within ever-changing pharmacy settings.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $162,870 for pharmacistsin the Seattle 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
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